Latest news with #RaceforLife
Daily Record
30-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Young woman who hid cancer fears behind 21st birthday smiles battles back to beat disease
Chloe Reid was diagnosed with cancer on March 8, 2023, just weeks after her 21st birthday. A courageous young woman who hid cancer fears behind smiles at her 21st birthday has battled back to beat the disease. Chloe Reid, 23, was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma - an uncommon cancer that develops in the lymphatic system - on March 8, 2023. She looked picture perfect in the weeks beforehand as she posed in photos to mark her 21st birthday in December 2022. But behind the smiles, Chloe was masking worries about a lump in her neck and constant tiredness. The health care assistant, from Aberdeen, went on to receive several biopsies and was told she had cancer that had spread to some lymph nodes under her arm. Speaking of her diagnosis at the time, Chloe said: "When doctors told me I had cancer it felt like I'd walked into someone else's life, a life much more frightening than mine. "It forced me to make a lot of decisions at a young age like, 'do I want to have kids one day?' There were days when I cried and life felt cruel. "I think I will ask why for the rest of my life. But cancer also opened my eyes and made me appreciate the special people in my life. I faced some of the most challenging moments of my life at 21." Chloe underwent surgery, several gruelling rounds of chemotherapy and hormone treatment to freeze some of her eggs. In July 2023, she rang the bell at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary to mark what she hoped was the end of treatment. However, she was hit with a further blow when scans later that summer showed lumps on her collarbone and armpit. Her final chemotherapy session followed on September 27, 2023 - a date so significant she now has it tattooed on her right arm. Now in remission, Chloe was guest of honour at Cancer Research UK's Race for Life in Aberdeen on Sunday. She completed the 5k event and was cheered by family and friends as she crossed the finish line with her boyfriend Jack McGinness who had supported her every step of the way through treatment. Chloe's brother, Thomas Reid, 26, and his girlfriend Lydia Buchan, 24, also took part. Chloe said: 'I am grateful I can take part in Race for Life this year and I am so grateful to be doing it with my biggest supporter Jack. 'I have the best family and we're closer than ever. Almost everybody goes through some hard stuff in their lives. I've just been through mine young. "Life is good. I'm proud to support research for people going through cancer right now and to help find better treatments for people in the future.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK's spokeswoman in Scotland, said: 'We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in Race for Life Aberdeen. 'No matter how cancer affects us, life is worth racing for. Sadly nearly one in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime but all of us can support the research that will beat it. "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 Aberdeen, 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."
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Warrington's Gladiator winner backs appeal in honour of her late mum
WARRINGTON'S Gladiator has backed an Alzheimer's Society appeal in honour of her late mum. Amanda Wah, who lives in Lymm, soared through the latest season of the BBC TV show and claimed victory in the tense grand final. The gym owner dedicated her triumph to her mum, Allyson, who was diagnosed with a rare form of dementia at 55. 'My mum was always there for us,' said Amanda. 'She was a stubborn lady and very supportive of the whole family. She never dropped the ball. 'But she was only 55 when she was diagnosed with dementia back in 2015. She'd been having problems with her speech for a while, but the doctors put it down to menopause. 'At first she was slurring her words, but later she started to lose her speech entirely.' Amanda dedicated her victory to her mum (Image: Alex Hughes) Allyson was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia (PPA), a type of frontotemporal dementia which progressed over time. People diagnosed with PPA can have trouble remembering words and names of objects, and others may struggle to speak at their usual speed or use words in the right order. 'When mum first got her diagnosis, we made the most of every day, taking trips and visiting places she'd always wanted to see,' said Amanda. 'We used phone apps to communicate. She didn't lose her memory, but the Covid lockdowns had a massive impact. We really saw a big deterioration and by 2023 she was struggling to eat and had lost a lot of weight. 'Things got harder for the family, especially my dad who cared for mum at home. We lost her in April 2023.' This month, Amanda is proudly wearing a Forget Me Not badge as part of Alzheimer's Society's Forget Me Not Appeal. Read more Boyfriend, dad and friends of woman who fought cancer twice team up for big challenge Why two vital Warrington charities came together on one memorable night Race for Life countdown as Warrington cancer fundraiser returns 'We are so grateful to Amanda for supporting our Forget Me Not Appeal,' said Jess Mackenzie, Alzheimer's Society Regional Fundraiser for Cheshire. 'One in three people born in the UK will develop dementia in their lifetime. Dementia affects all of us. 'Every donation to the Forget Me Not Appeal helps fund crucial Alzheimer's Society services and groundbreaking dementia research. 'Everyone will have their own reason for wearing a badge, it could be in honour of a loved one receiving life-changing support, or in recognition of the groundbreaking research shaping the future for those living with dementia.' To find out more about the appeal, and to donate, visit
Daily Record
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
TikTok star who shared cancer journey completes Tough Mudder
Erin Lavery battled through the 5km course at Strathclyde Park with the help of her friends in her first big physical challenge since receiving the all-clear. After defeating cancer Erin Lavery's latest challenge was completing Tough Mudder – and the brave Cambuslang woman smashed that too. The 22-year-old battled through the 5km course at Strathclyde Park with the help of her friends in her first big physical challenge since receiving the all-clear. And although she wasn't sure if she would be able to complete the endurance event, Erin crossed the finish line with a beaming smile. She said: 'It was fab, we loved it; we had such a good day. It's such a good atmosphere, supportive, and the amount of people that come out and watch and cheer you on round the sides, there was so many people. Even though it was absolutely pouring, there was still tonnes of people out cheering us on, it's just such a good atmosphere.' Erin was taking part as an ambassador for ScottishPower's partnership with Cancer Research UK and led almost 100 ScottishPower employees taking on the obstacle course. She continued: 'I was still supposed to be doing treatment at this point, so my friends had booked to do it in honour of me type of thing, so they've all been fundraising and I just kind of joined in as a wee late entry after ScottishPower had got in touch. 'This was the first test of my energy levels, my fitness, because I was like, 'yeah I'll do it', but I wasn't actually sure if I was going to be able to finish it or how far I'd get – but it all went really well. So I wasn't fundraising personally, but the girls all done it.' ScottishPower began a partnership with Cancer Research UK back in 2012, and since then have raised £40 million for the charity. Together they have raised millions through initiatives like the energy provider's Help Beat Cancer energy tariff, and by sponsoring Race for Life events across the UK and supporting Stand Up To Cancer. It's estimated that nearly one in two people in the UK will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime and ScottishPower are trying to help Cancer Research UK so that, one day, people can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer. And after becoming aware of Erin's cancer journey, which she has shared with tens of thousands of followers on social media, the firm reached out to her to take part in Pretty Muddy as an ambassador for Cancer Research UK. Erin said: 'It was actually the CEO of customer business at Scottish Power, Andrew Ward, who told me at the weekend that he and his wife have been following along – they've watched a lot of my videos – and then there was a few people in the team who had seen some of the stuff and thought I'd be a good fit for it, and once we got chatting it all went ahead.' Erin, who had suffered from childhood asthma, didn't too think much of a cough which first appeared in October 2023. But the following month she discovered a lump on her neck and made an appointment with her GP to have it checked. Doctors thought her symptoms were down to a swollen lymph mode and iron deficiency, but Erin's symptoms became steadily worse over the next seven months as she suffered from migraines, dizziness and tiredness. After several months of trying to carry on as normal Erin was forced to stop working for periods of time and asked to be referred to a hospital and underwent a biopsy. An initial hospital appointment was made for July 2024 and by that August, Erin had undergone her first biopsy, but while waiting for the results she became even more ill. She began chemotherapy and then earlier this year shared to her social media followers that she had defeated Stage 3 Hodgkin lymphoma. With over 70,000 followers on TikTok and another 20,000 on Instagram, Erin has been documenting her cancer journey as well as offering insight and advice to others. She said: 'I like the idea of more people finding my page, especially my TikTok, I've got a lot of videos of me getting my treatment and as someone who's going through treatment it's good to watch those types of videos. So I think it's good for that, but I also have a lot of people who follow me that are in the cancer world or touched by it in some way, so sharing with them the charities and businesses that are out doing that kind of stuff, I think it's good to share that side of it as well. 'It's been crazy. I still even now receive multiple messages a day of people that are going though treatment saying the videos have helped them, because it's quite an anxious thing, when you don't know what to expect, that kind of thing. So I think me walking them right though it, and showing them, because I think it's hard as well, you don't really know how sick you're going to become. So I explained everything. I was feeling very open so I think people being able to see that obviously does kind of ease their worries a wee bit. I've just received a crazy amount of messages from people, and it's just lovely knowing that I'm able to help in that way,' And the reaction from her thousands of followers, has been a positive experience for Erin, who added: 'It's been good from all angles, I've received so much support throughout from people that have followed along, but also being able to help others during it gave me something to focus on. It's been the best thing for me, for sure. 'I think it's showing a different side now; obviously, although I'm cancer free, there's still a lot of recovery to do, so it's raising awareness of that. Although you can be cancer free there's things that can still be difficult, so there's a different side to it but it will always be something I want to talk about and share with people.' And she added: 'The Beatson are still super involved and if I need anything it's so easy to get in touch with them; they'd offer me so much but it's a balance. 'I still need their support a lot but I'm also trying to find stuff myself and get that wee bit more independence back, so it's a mixture for sure but the support the Beatson provide is just insane.' Erin is not yet back working full-time as a nail technician, and continued: 'My first thing was, I want to get my fitness back, so I've been starting off with a fitness routine and getting that sorted, getting back, because I didn't eat a lot of the time throughout my treatment, so I'm trying to put weight on. 'I'm very focused on my health first and then once I feel a bit more settled, because I'm self-employed it's quite hard, it's going to be a big jump going back to it all, so I want to wait until I've got a bit more life routine settled and then I'll get back into it but I'm excited to get back there.' Erin added: 'All the way through, even when I was getting the treatment, I didn't want it to be a bad thing. Obviously it's hard but I still wanted to make sure that I was having a good time and I was happy where I was, and now that I am cancer free and that stress has gone. 'I'm excited for literally everything. Even the days when I'm doing nothing, I love that, but also the thought of getting back to work, the thought of going on holiday again, literally life just feels so exciting.' Cancer Research UK say that every year around 34,600 people are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland. Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer that starts in white blood cells called lymphocytes and the main treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma include chemotherapy and radiotherapy. And the charity also said there are 320 new cases of cancer in children and young people a year in Scotland. Speaking about discovering she had cancer, Erin said: 'It took about eight months for me to be diagnosed. I was sick for about a year beforehand so that was something I learned very early on, because I actually had every symptom of lymphoma when I was going to the doctors, and they hadn't picked it up, so that is something where I can teach people the symptoms and learning that when you do feel something like that you need to be pushy. 'Even if you're getting answers from the doctors it doesn't always mean that they're correct and if it doesn't feel right to keep going and make sure that you're advocating for your health, so that was definitely something throughout that I've been trying to push. 'I made quite a lot friends. That was something as well I wanted to post about, because obviously this age group is kind of very, it's almost missed, the media and stuff like that, people don't really think of young adults with cancer, it's always kids or older people, so when I started posting I connected with quite a few people that had the same idea as me and I've made some really good friends through it and it does help when it's someone the same age as you that you can chat to about these things.' ScottishPower are continuing their partnership with Cancer Research UK and you can also help them to do more by joining over 400,000 customers and switching to the energy provider's Help Beat Cancer tariff. For every month you're on the tariff, they will donate to the charity on your behalf. And during COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, ScottishPower announced an ambition to help Cancer Research UK shine a light on the role air pollution plays in the development of cancer. They covered the cost of a Cancer Research UK study, which has helped researchers explain the link between lung cancer and non-smoking-related factors. The ScottishPower website says: 'But we want to do more. That's why we've committed up to £4 million to support Cancer Research UK's Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence for the next five years. 'It is hoped this funding will help to transform UK lung cancer research by allowing Cancer Research UK to increase momentum and build a sustainably funded research community around lung cancer – the third most common form of cancer in the UK and the most common cause of cancer death – with the ultimate aim of improving outcomes for lung cancer patients.' For her part, Erin supports the partnership work between ScottishPower and Cancer Research UK, saying: 'I think whatever future things they have planned I will definitely get involved. I genuinely do think they're such a great company and the things that've done is just amazing. 'All that money obviously does go to cancer research. Finding treatments and cures is something I'm just so passionate about so I think we definitely do have the same values, and I think they're great.' And after her experience doing Pretty Muddy, Erin would encourage any charity fundraisers to give it a go, adding: 'There's still tonnes of events. That one has passed now, but you can go onto their website and there's pretty much always an event planned and they're everywhere, so people are going to be able to find one near them too.' Search 'erinlaveryx' on Instagram and 'erin_lav' on TikTok to find Erin. For more on how ScottishPower are helping Cancer Research UK, and how you can get involved, visit
Leader Live
23-06-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
Long waiting times fallen by two-thirds over four months
MS for Wrexham Tackling waiting times is a priority for the Welsh Government and this was exemplified last week when an additional £120m package of support was announced to enable the NHS to build on the progress made to date. Long waiting times have fallen by two-thirds over the last four months and the Welsh Government is determined to deliver a stronger, more sustainable NHS for the people of Wales. The new funding will result in even more patients having faster access to treatment, with the overall size of the waiting list reduced by 200,000 and all two-year waits eliminated entirely by March 2026. This positive trend is reflected in North Wales with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) confirming that since the turn of the year, the number of patients waiting more than two years for treatment reduced from 10,070 in December 2024 to 5,747 in March 2025, an improvement of 43%. While there is still work to do, we are heading in the right direction. It is often the negative stories that garner the most attention but it is right to publicise the successes and pay tribute to the hardworking staff who regularly go above and beyond the call of duty. Recently, in the Senedd, I was pleased to highlight the exceptional work of BCUHB staff following correspondence I received from constituents praising the treatment and care they received. Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Race for Life at Alyn Waters Country Park. I had the pleasure of kicking off the race by sounding the starting horn and also handed out medals at the finish line. The weather was glorious and the atmosphere was uplifting. Organisers were confident of raising £35,000 and I wish to thank all the runners who signed up and helped raise valuable funds for Cancer Research UK. Alyn Waters is the place to be this weekend too with the Walk for Parkinson's scheduled to take place on Saturday (28 June). It's the first time this annual event has been held in North Wales and Parkinson's UK is encouraging people to sign up. The event consists of 2 walk options, a shorter, fully accessible 1.7-mile route or a longer more challenging 6-mile route. There is a large population of people living in North Wales with Parkinson's, and as the fastest growing neurological condition, this is set to grow further. There is an active support group in Wrexham and participating in the Walk for Parkinson's will make a difference to not only those affected by Parkinson's in Wrexham, but across North Wales. Further information can be found on the Parkinson's UK Cymru website. If you're a constituent in Wrexham and there is an issue I could help you with, please contact me via email: or call 01978 355743.
Edinburgh Reporter
22-06-2025
- Health
- Edinburgh Reporter
Nikki is guest of honour at Pretty Muddy
At Cancer Research UK's Race For Life on Sunday the guest of honour, Nikki Milligan sent everyone on their way. She attended along with her partner Jason McFarlane and their daughters Zoe, aged six, and Abbie who is one year old. Nikki sounded the starter horn to start all the 1,500 participants off on the muddy race round the obstacle course in The Meadows. The race raised around £160,000 for cancer research. Nikki picked up a medal after completing the 5K Pretty Muddy with her childhood friend Claire Wright. Afterwards she said: 'I am incredibly grateful to be here to raise my two girls. 'It's hard to put in to words exactly how it feels to be healthy and surrounded by love. This summer will mark three years of me being in remission from cancer. I will forever be thankful to my family for their unwavering support and to the NHS for getting me better. 'I'm proud to be able to help others. I want to support research for people going through cancer right now and to help find better treatments for my daughters' generation.' Nikki recalls vividly the uncertainty she felt on January 13 2022 when doctors at the Western General Hospital told her she had Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. She had first contacted her GP in December the year before after a lump had appeared near her collar bone and she had suffered symptoms including night sweats. She had an x-ray after blood tests indicated there may be an issue and only hours after the x-ray the GP called her. Nikki said: 'I thought the x-ray results would take around 10 days to come so when my GP called me back the same day I knew the news wouldn't be good. 'They'd found a tumour on my neck and my chest. I had a biopsy on Christmas eve 2021. My daughter was only three at the time and going through Christmas waiting for those final January results was hard.' Nikki lost her hair to the side effects of treatment. She had six months of chemotherapy in total including two stays in hospital. But on August 18 2022, she completed her final session, after which it took time to build back strength. Just months later, Nikki was overjoyed to discover she was pregnant again. Her younger daughter Abbie was born on December 26 2023. Nikki said: 'I feel so lucky. After treatment for cancer, I didn't even know if I'd be able to have another child but here we are blessed with our Boxing Day baby.' Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK's spokesperson in Scotland, said: 'We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in Pretty Muddy Edinburgh. '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. 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 Pretty Muddy Edinburgh, 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. ' Diane Graham, a volunteer from the Cancer Research UK Edinburgh superstore at Corstorphine also completed Pretty Muddy. She took part along with CRUK superstore manager Steven Storrier who celebrated his 52nd birthday over the weekend. Steven said: 'I can think of no better way to celebrate my birthday. 'Almost every day in the superstore people share with us their reasons for supporting Cancer Research UK. I am in awe of our customers who do so much to support the charity. Pretty Muddy is a chance for me to give a little bit back.' Pretty Muddy in Edinburgh ALL PHOTOS © Lesley Martin/Lesley Martin Photography 22 June 2025 © Lesley Martin/Lesley Martin Photography 22 June 2025 Left to right Claire Wight, 31, and Nikki Milligan, 31 Left to right Zoe McFarlane, 6, dad Jason McFarlane, mum Nikki Milligan and Abbie McFarlane, one Mum of two Nikki Milligan in remission from cancer is the official starter at Cancer Research UK's Pretty Muddy Edinburgh Pretty Muddy in the Meadows Right to left Nikki Milligan in remission from cancer crosses the finish line of Pretty Muddy Edinburgh with daughter Zoe, six, and her friend Claire Wight People take part in CRUK Pretty Muddy in The Meadows, Edinburgh. ©Lesley Martin/Lesley Martin Photography Like this: Like Related
