Will you Race For Life?
Women in Exeter are being urged to grab their last chance to enter Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life at Westpoint Exeter as there is just one week left until registration closes.
Over 5000 women have already joined a ‘pink army’ ready to take on cancer in the 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy events on 25 and 26 July, but there are still places left.
One of those is inspirational mum Jess Gallaway whose world fell apart when she lost her brother Rhys to a brain tumour nine years ago.
But every year the family do something special in memory of Rhys and pay tribute to the bubbly, carefree boy who lost his life to cancer at such a young age.
Jess, 20 is fighting back against cancer by signing up for Race for Life Pretty Muddy which takes place for the first time in Exeter on Saturday 25 July.
Jess added: “I can’t wait to take on the Pretty Muddy challenge. It’ll be an emotional day as I’ll be thinking of Rhys the whole way round the course.
“Nine years ago was when my childhood fell apart, I’d lost my brother who was also my best friend to this horrible disease.
“It all started on a lovely day we were all outside playing with our friends, throwing water balloons and bike riding. My brother collapsed off his bike, he began twitching and dribbling. I panicked I thought it was my fault, I was in pieces and sat at the bottom of the stairs as my family surrounded him.
“I was only 10 at the time. It was all a blur not knowing. My biggest memory was my dad telling me my brother had a brain tumour, using books it told me what would happen - treatments, hospitals, operations and feelings.
“I just wanted my brother back, not a brother on a lunchbox of tablets and injections. He came home and went back again, attended a few hours at school. He always tried to be himself.
“The day eventually came when my brave brother had sadly lost his fight, I didn't want to believe it, the most saddest day of my life and. I never want to experience that again”.
Jess added: “I’m determined to make a difference and that’s why I’m urging women in Devon to take part in Race for Life, raise money and help beat cancer sooner.”
Every day, three people are diagnosed with cancer in the South West*. And that’s why Cancer Research UK is calling on women across the region to show cancer who’s boss by choosing their challenge - Pretty Muddy, 5k or 10k - and signing up now.
Ruth Chamings, Cancer Research UK’s Devon Event Manager, said: “We’re so grateful to Jess for her support and for sharing her reasons for taking part in Pretty Muddy. We hope that local women will be inspired by her courage and sign up to get Pretty Muddy with us in Exeter”.
Entry closes at midnight on Friday July 24 and organisers are encouraging mums, daughters, grannies, sisters, friends and workmates who want to take part in the women-only event to sign up as soon possible at raceforlife.org.
In 2014, 3787 women took part in the Race for Life 5k and 10k events in Exeter and helped raise an incredible £200,193 for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work. This year, the charity hopes the thousands who have entered will hit a fundraising target of £294,000.
By raising money through Race for Life, people in Exeter are helping Cancer Research UK’s doctors, nurses and scientists make advances in research which will help more men, women and children survive.
Cancer Research UK receives no Government funding for its ground-breaking research but with help from the people of Devon the charity intends to beat cancer sooner.
To enter Race for Life visit www.raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.
