My daughter Joanne has been doing the Race For Life with her friend Lesley for a few years now, but this year I decided to join them!  My decision to do the race is because I realised that my own daughter is one of the lucky ones.  Joanne discovered a lump in her breast and had surgery to remove it, fortunately it was benign but Joanne took a reaction during the surgery and developed painful keloid scarring which even steroid injections couldn't heal.  She will always be in some pain and discomfort, but this is a reminder that she is one of the lucky ones, and that is why she races and tries to raise funds for Breast Cancer.... and why I am so proud of her.

My God-daughter Rebecca has also decided to join us this year as she lost her gran Jessie to cancer recently. Cancer affects so many peoples lives and I have a long list of names that I could run in memory of, but this year I am running in memory of my friend Alison's mum and dad.  Alison lost both her parents to cancer and that is too much for anyone.

So Alison, my thoughts will be with you on the day,  in memory of your mum and dad  Meg and Clif Hewitt.