In the run up to World Cancer Day this Sunday, 4th February, three local women are choosing to share their own story of beating cancer with the public.
They are hoping to inspire others to join them and unite in a new fundraising event for Bath called Relay for Life.
Tina Angell, Sarah Baker, Laura Phillips, Jo Bridger and Lauren Petitt, have all been touched by cancer.
The women have come together to show their support during World Cancer Day by wearing a Unity Band to show solidarity with those affected by the disease.
They met on a cold January morning in front of Bath’s Royal Crescent to spread the word of a new team fundraising challenge bringing communities together at Odd Down Playing Fields on 23rd June.
The women have set up the 24 hour event and are encouraging teams to join them, embodying the spirit that together people are stronger than cancer.
Tina Angell, 38, who chairs the Relay for Life group, explained: I was diagnosed with bowel cancer 14 years ago and I feel passionately that research is the way forward.
“Everyone knows someone who has been touched by cancer. One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed at some stage in the lives, but the good news is more people are surviving the disease than ever before.”
Relay for Life has raised £23 million over 20 years across the UK.
Each Relay consists of around 8-15 people and is a 24-hour community celebration. All team members take it in turns to walk laps of a track, all day and all night to show cancer never sleeps.
“There is music, local performers, stalls and games for all the family,” Tina added.
Sarah Baker, 48, has her own reason for being part of the Relay event.
The bath-based media manager was diagnosed with a rare sarcoma in her left calf muscle in May 2016, having gone through 10 months of hospital appointments before being diagnosed.
Doctors discovered that the pain she was experiencing was due to a cancerous tumour located on the main artery to her foot.
She explained: “On the morning of my operation my surgeons were unsure if they could save my lower leg from amputation. My leg was saved and I am currently 18 months post op and cancer free.
“I am due to have more surgery in March as I was left with little calf muscle but my physical difficulties haven’t stopped me from raising money for charity by being active.”
Sarah has been raising awareness of Sarcoma – a rare group of cancers which grows in connective tissue cells and can develop from soft tissues like fat, muscle, nerves and blood vessels.
Sarah said: I am wearing a Cancer Research UK Unity Band on World Cancer Day – it’s a fantastic opportunity to raise money for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving research. I will do as much as I can to raise awareness and would also welcome adults, children and families to join me at Relay for Life too.”
Laura Phillips who lives in Corston, is a physical education teacher by day and adrenaline junkie by night. She has also signed up for Relay for Life, following her diagnosis of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2016.
Problems started for Laura when she began feeling tired all the time and suffered from a loss of appetite. Because Laura was always a fit and active person, she knew something was wrong.
“Things progressively got worse and having become breathless and struggling for breath I went to A&E and was diagnosed with pneumonia and a collapsed lung,” Sarah explained.
A further PET scan revealed cancerous tumours in her neck, stomach, pelvis, lung aorta and spleen.
At the age of 34 she was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin Lymphoma, a cancer which starts in the white blood cells – there are over 13,600 cases a year.
“I had excellent treatment and I wanted to give something back. I am now volunteering for Cancer Research UK helping to organise Relay for Life and facilitating workshops for the Lymphoma Association.”
“I am one year in remission and I am back teaching part-time and feeling great.”
Her friend Jo Bridger, 45, who was diagnosed with breast cancer nearly five years ago is also part of the Relay committee and is excited about meeting more teams who are looking to join in.
Lauren Petit, aged 19, is a student at Bath University and has been a passionate fundraiser for the past eight years after losing her best friend to cancer.
Cancer Research UK’s Unity Band features a classic reef knot design to symbolise the strength of people coming together to unite against cancer.
Alison Birkett Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Somerset, said: “We are very grateful to Sarah, Tina, Laura, Jo and Lauren for their support and showing how important it is for everyone to wear a Unity Band on World Cancer Day.
“For anyone who would like to join them or form a team at Bath Relay for Life then do get in touch or log on to our website at www.cruk.org/relay.
“Just by wearing a Unity Band, everyone can help make a real difference to people with cancer.”
Marked on 4th February, World Cancer Day is designed to raise awareness of cancer and to promote its prevention, detection and treatment.
Unity Bands are available in all Cancer Research UK shops and online at: www.cruk.org/worldcancerday.
