Inspirational Motherwell mum who overcame cancer aged 32 chosen to launch Scotland's biggest Race for Life

Daily Record

19-05-2025

Djennah Benaouicha was guest of honour at Cancer Research UK's Race for Life Glasgow. She joined her partner Ross Fisher and her five-year-old daughter Millie McKeen sounding the starter horn.
An inspirational Lanarkshire mum who overcame cancer aged 32 was chosen to launch Scotland's biggest Race for Life.
Djennah Benaouicha was guest of honour at Cancer Research UK's Race for Life Glasgow. She joined her partner Ross Fisher and her five-year-old daughter Millie McKeen sounding the starter horn to send thousands of participants on the 3k and 5k courses at Glasgow Green.
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It was an emotional moment for Djennah who despite successful treatment for an early form of breast cancer discovered she has inherited a damaged version of a gene called ATM, increasing her risk of cancer. She now faces more surgery to cut the risk of cancer returning.
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As almost 6,000 people took to the streets of Scotland's largest city £735,754 was raised for Cancer Research UK- vital funds which will enable scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer- to bring about a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.
Over the last 50 years, Cancer Research UK's work has helped double breast cancer survival in the UK. Djennah, a physiotherapist from Motherwell, recalls vividly the uncertainty she felt when doctors at University Hospital Wishaw told her she had cancer on October 1 2024, the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Djennah, now 33, said: 'Your world collapses when you hear the word cancer.
'My daughter had just started school and we'd been making plans for her fifth birthday which was three days away. But I felt lucky that the cancer had been caught early.
'I'm well now so it's important to me to do everything I can to raise awareness. I want to support research to help people going through cancer right now and to find better treatments for my daughter's generation.'
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Every year around 34,600 people are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland.
Djennah's team raised £861 by completing the Race for Life Glasgow 3k route. She was joined at the start line of Race for Life by Dr Kirsteen Campbell of the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute and the University of Glasgow.
Breast cancer is a major focus for Dr Campbell's research and she's also part of a team studying other cancers including prostate, pancreatic, lung and brain cancer.
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The team has discovered a weak spot in cancer cells that healthy cells don't rely on as much. By targeting this vulnerability, scientists hope to kill more cancer cells while also making existing treatments gentler and more effective.
They're investigating how special drugs called BH3 mimetics can help by blocking a protein called MCL-1, especially in cancers that don't respond well to current treatments.
Dr Campbell said: 'We're proud that our research today in Scotland could make a difference to patients in the future.
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'By targeting the proteins that help cancer cells stay alive, we aim to find better, more effective and kinder treatments. Research to understand more about the disease is expensive. That's why I'm in awe of every single person who crosses the finish line at Race for Life. Thank you Glasgow.'
A team of teachers and youngsters from Caldervale High School in Airdrie took part in memory of senior six pupil Isla Sneddon who was 17 when she died in March 2025 from cancer. Isla's family also took part in the 5k including Isla's cousin Fiona Sandilands.
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Caldervale High School deputy head Scott Morgan said: 'Isla was such an important part of the school community.
'She is loved and missed by all of us. We are keen to do everything we can to raise much needed funds for cancer research.'
Fancy dress costumes also included a team dressed as inflatable unicorns raising awareness of skin cancer. Participants were entertained on the course by the Rock Choir and members of the ScottishPower pipe band.
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Labour MP for Glasgow East John Grady ran the 5k and afterwards gave medals out at the finish line.
Cancer Research UK's Race for Life, in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, is an inspiring series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.
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Now organisers are sending a heartfelt message of thanks to everyone who put their best feet forward as well as their supporters. And they're appealing for people to make every step count by paying in sponsorship money as soon as possible.
Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK's spokesperson in Scotland, said: 'We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in Race for Life Glasgow.
'No matter how cancer affects us, life is worth racing for. Sadly nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime*** but all of us can support the research that will beat it.
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'We're proud that Race for Life has had such a positive impact. Every pound raised supports our life-saving work, which has helped double cancer survival in the UK over the last 50 years.
'It was a fantastic day at Race for Life Glasgow, full of emotion, courage, tears, laughter and hope as people celebrated the lives of those dear to them who have survived cancer and remembered loved ones lost to the disease.
'Now we're asking everyone who took part to return the money they're raised as soon as possible. Every donation, every pound raised will make a real difference. '