I’m not doing a Race for Life this year. Partly because my local Races seem determined to be where I am not – there’s one this weekend in Gateshead while I will be in Norfolk, there were two last weekend in Durham while I was on the train to London….. And partly because I feel as though I’ve harangued the bejesus out of everyone I know for sponsorship, for four events (two Races for Life, two Night Hikes) over the last two years. I’m giving you some time off. But fear not, I will be hitting you with more demands for sponsorship money and book-buying before too long.

I do think the Race for Life is a great event for a great cause, and I urge you to take part if you can – details are here. Leave a comment to tell us all where and when, and you might even get some sponsorship…..

It’s important, though, not to overlook what else Cancer Research UK is up to, both in terms of fundraising and in terms of other activities.

For example, for those of you with a musical turn of the fingers, you can join Busking Cancer events to raise money. I love this idea, because it seems that everyone wins – musicians get to play, passers-by get that lovely little jolt of happiness when they round a corner and hear music that they weren’t expecting, and Cancer Research UK gets to make some money. What’s not to love? Sign up here, and sing a song with Bah! in it for me. (Is there one? If not, would someone like to write one? You see, even when I’m not demanding money, I can be demanding in all sorts of other ways.)

And then there’s the campaigning part of Cancer Research UK too. Recent campaigns include asking MPs to commit to cancer care and research, keeping tobacco products away from view, and restricting access to sunbeds. All of these campaigns need public support, so even if you’re not racing for life, and can’t sing, you can still be part of the work that Cancer Research UK is doing. Right now – and I mean this minute – you can click on this link and sign the petition calling for a radiotherapy action plan. Go on. I’m not dissing your Thursday, but for someone, somewhere, that little click might be the most important thing you do today.

I’ll see you tomorrow, on Cancer Free Friday, when my bossiness might have worn off a bit….