Cancer is real. 

Every two minutes in the UK someone gets diagnosed with cancer.*

Some cancers are directly linked to lifestyle choices or hereditary factors. 

Sometimes it’s just the luck of the draw.

Why am I so aware of mortality today?

As I’m sure you’ll know last week we had a little Fit School team run the Race for Life at North Weald.

Whatever you might think of ‘fit’ people or ‘runners’ or of these big fundraising events that are constantly asking for your cash if you’ve ever been to a Race for Life event you’ll know how moving they are.

These are events where women run in memory of loved ones, some who have passed away very recently, others some years ago. 

There are women for whom this might be the first event after their mum has survived breast cancer and then there are women who are running for the first time after they’ve lost their mum.

And then there are mums, sisters, daughters or aunts who are taking part having been given the all clear from cancer.

Last Wednesday I bumped into a team from High Beach church, including friends and vicar Rev. Gill Hopkins. They were all taking part to raise money for cancer research. Their team efforts inspired by and organised by church member Jakki Abbott who was fighting a new battle with cancer which had returned after ten years in remission. Jakki had hoped to be there but was sadly too unwell.

Sadly I learned on Saturday that Jakki lost her battle with cancer on Friday. Two days after the event, leaving behind a devastated family.

So we’d like to dedicate out Fit School just giving funds from the event to Jakki’s memory. And to all those who have recently fought and lost their battle with cancer. 

Life is a fleeting gift. Let us live it well, walk together and enjoy the precious moments.

Thanks to research, every day in the UK 450 people in the UK will survive cancer.

If you’ve yet to donate and would like to here’s our justgiving page.

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Sponsor me now, and help me show cancer that hell hath no fury like a woman in pink.

*Statistics according to Cancer Research UK