Professor Matt Winter takes on London Marathon for Weston Park Cancer Charity

Next week, Professor Matt Winter will be heading down South and taking on the London Marathon in support of Weston Park Cancer Charity.

The 49-year-old father of three joined Weston Park Cancer Centre as a trainee in 2004, and became a consultant in 2011. Matt specialises in treating breast cancer and gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) – a rare pregnancy related cancer.

In 2022, Matt became the Director of the Sheffield Trophoblastic Disease Centre – one of just two national centres in the UK which treats this condition.

GTD can develop during or after pregnancy when an abnormal overgrowth of the placenta occurs. For most women, surgery removes the abnormal tissue, but a small percentage require chemotherapy.

“Last September, Weston Park Cancer Charity helped us to run a ‘Celebration of Mothers’ event for women who had been diagnosed with GTD and gone on to have children afterwards,” said Matt.

“We wanted to do something to acknowledge the journey that these women had been on – from being diagnosed with a rare cancer to later becoming mothers.

“It was wonderful to be able to put on this special event for former patients and their families, and it made me want to give back to the charity.”

Matt has always been a runner and represented his county and the North of England as a teenager. Over the years, he’s completed many long-distance events - including the Sheffield Half Marathon last month. But he’s now preparing for his biggest race yet: the London Marathon.

“It’s definitely going to be a challenge,” said Matt.

“But I want to raise as much money as I can for the charity because it’s such a fantastic organisation.

“Unfortunately, we know that cancer will impact one in two of us at some point in our lives. That’s why Weston Park Cancer Charity’s services, advice and therapies are so vital. As a charity they’re there, at every step, helping people and their families to face cancer.

“Over the years Weston Park Cancer Charity has also played a massive role in supporting pioneering research and clinical trials. I’m privileged to have been involved in many throughout my career, and having the charity to apply to for funding is brilliant.”

Matt has set himself an ambitious goal for the London Marathon and is hoping to run it in less than three hours.

“I don’t know whether I’m setting myself up for a fall by saying that!” says Matt. “But you’ve got to have targets, haven’t you?

“My plan for the day is to soak up the atmosphere, enjoy it all, and – crucially – not to start off too quickly.

“I’ve set myself a tough target. But really, I know the time isn’t important. The most important thing is completing the race while raising as much money for the charity as possible.”

To support Professor Matt Winter’s marathon, head to: 2025tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/matthew-winter