Sunday, 25 July 2010

In The Pink!

Today I took part in the 10 km Race For Life, the UK's largest women-only event that raises money for Cancer Research UK.
Some people have criticised the event for being for ladies only....but the rationale behind this apparent sexism is to create a noncompetitive atmosphere that encourages women of all fitness levels to take part. There are events for men too, such as the Race For Moore annual event. Traditionally, participants wear bright pink, the colour synonymous with breast cancer awareness, but Cancer Research UK supports research into all cancers.

It was a fantastic, colourful day....

The Nivea Boys - cheerleaders - warm up the crowd



They were quite popular!

Even this basset hound got in on the act

A sea of pink

At the Start

Flowers along the way

Along the River Great Ouse

Young participants

The end is nigh

The final stretch

Early last year, my dad was diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer. Surgery was not possible and the doctors were wary of trying chemotherapy. The outlook was not great. But my dad was not giving up without a fight...and a big one at that! He underwent 12 grueling cycles of hard core chemo, at the end of which the scans showed some shrinkage of his tumour. Last week he saw his oncologist for his 3-month check-up and was told the cancer is dormant. For how long it will remain so, no one knows...but for the moment, he is doing remarkably well.  This is why I take part in events like Race For Life....so that other families can have a few more weeks, months, maybe years with their loved ones.



3 comments:

  1. Looks like a great turn out.
    Love all that pink.. not my favorite color,
    but I do wear it proudly for the cancer
    survivors benefits here.

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  2. Great photos, seems like a lot of fun. Good cause, xxx

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  3. faye - that is wonderful!

    Biana - thanks!

    Sid - some people like to use the term "Living with cancer"...it sort of balances the negative with a positive in a way :-)

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