• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

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BRAVE CANCER SURVIVOR IS GUEST OF HONOUR AT DURHAM RACE FOR LIFE

A Durham mum who was diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine screening is urging men, women and children to enter the city’s Race for Life to help fight the disease.

With less than a week to go until Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in Durham, around 1000 people have already signed up to take part on Sunday 30 June at St. Leonards Sports Fields, County Hall.

Lynne McGuigan, 59, from Leadgate, will be the guest of honour at the 5k Race for Life, which she has taken part in ever since her diagnosis six years ago.

She’ll be joined by her friends and family who’ve formed a fundraising group called ‘Boobilicious’. Together, they’ve raised nearly £7k for the charity.

Lynne is looking forward to ringing the bell to start the event, as she believes that research is the reason she’s still here today.

She explained: “I was 53 when I was offered a routine breast screening at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. The screening revealed a lump, and I was called back for more tests. When I was told that it was breast cancer, I was shocked – I really wouldn’t have known. I didn’t have any symptoms in the run up to my diagnosis – without the screening programme, I don’t think I’d be here today.

“I had two lumps removed and breast reconstruction surgery. I then had to have daily radiotherapy for six weeks. The treatment and care I received at the Freeman Hospital was brilliant.

“I’m so lucky that my cancer was picked up early and, in January this year, I was given the five year all-clear.

“My old school friends all rallied round me throughout my journey and we took part in our first Race for Life in the year I was diagnosed. Our group ‘Boobilicious’ has done really well by raising so much money each year – it’s a cause close to our hearts.

“For the last two years, we’ve joined forces with a suicide awareness charity, the ‘If u care share foundation’. .We hold a special BBQ at the Golden Lion Pub in Leadgate after the Race for Life and split the money we raise there between the two charities. It’s a wonderful community event.

“I’m so grateful for everyone’s support and for the treatment I’ve had. If my cancer wasn’t picked up so early, I might have missed out on seeing my grandkids grow up.”

Lynne has four grandchildren; twins Daniel and Lucas (8),Charlie (12) and Robyn (2). She is mum to son Carl (36) and daughter, Kirstin (32).

Lynne works as a childminder and took just two weeks off work during her treatment.

She added: “It was important to me that I stayed fit and healthy and kept a positive attitude. I didn’t want to focus on being ill – I was determined to stay well and feel well. Kirstin helped me out with work when I needed it.

“I’m delighted to be the guest of honour at the Race for Life in Durham. I’m living proof that research saves lives.”

We’ve made huge strides towards beating breast cancer – survival is improving and has doubled in the last 40 years.

Cancer Research UK helped deliver the most important review of the UK breast screening programme. Its results are helping women up and down the country decide for themselves whether to go for breast screening.

Our clinical trials helped to find the best way to use radiotherapy to treat breast cancer, helping to reduce side effects for women having this treatment.

Because of her experience, Lynne is determined to help bring forward the day when all cancers are cured. She wants other families to join her at the Race for Life, no matter what their age or ability, because every participant can help make a real difference.

There’s still time to enter the Race for Life in Durham and organisers are encouraging people committed to the cause to sign up to the 5k event right now at raceforlife.org.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring series of 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.

Jaelithe Leigh-Brown, Cancer Research UK’s Spokesperson for the North East, said: “We’re very grateful to Lynne and Boobilicious for their amazing support. Their efforts show how much people can achieve by coming together to raise funds and we’re delighted that Lynne will be ringing the bell for Durham – she’s an inspiration.

“By joining the Race for Life events in the North East, people can make a real difference in the fight against cancer. The Race for Life events are fun, colourful, emotional and uplifting. You don’t need to be sporty to take part. You don’t have to train, and you certainly don’t need to compete against anyone else.”

Every hour, 2 people are diagnosed with cancer in the North East*. Cancer survival in the UK has doubled since the early 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress.

Jaelithe continued: “To make a significant difference in the fight against cancer we need to harness as much energy and commitment as possible – something that the North East has in bucket loads! We need everyone in the region to be inspired by Lynne and join an event.

“We’re urging mums, dads, nans, grandpas, brothers, sisters, friends and workmates to show their support by joining the Race for Life. It’s a perfect example of everyday people doing an extraordinary thing – uniting in a common cause to beat cancer.

“We encourage our participants to help raise money in what every way they like – there are lots of ideas on the Race for Life website – because this allows Cancer Research UK to fund vital research that saves lives. This includes clinical trials which give patients in the region access to the latest treatments.”

Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work relies on the public’s support. Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, the charity was able to spend over £5 million last year in the North East on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research.

To enter Race for Life today visit raceforelife.org or call 0300 123 0770.