Oldham cancer survivor will be special guest at Race for Life

Inspirational teenager who survived cancer as a baby will be special guest at Race for Life Oldham.
 
15- year old Kelsey Shyne-Slater, will set participants on their way before taking part in the event with her mum Melanie, aged 42, and siblings Caitlin, 13, and 17-year-old Kieron.
 
This year, for the first time, Cancer Research UK is inviting everyone, women, men and children to join the Race for Life.
 
Race for Life 5k Oldham will take place at 11am at Alexandra Park on Sunday 23rd June.

 Kelsey, from Royton, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when she was just six-months-old. Her mum Melanie had repeatedly visited the GP after finding lumps in her armpits and other parts of her body.
 
After the family were given the devastating cancer diagnosis, Kelsey embarked on six gruelling months of chemotherapy before undergoing surgery to have the tumour removed. 

At one point she weighed the equivalent of a bag of sugar. Kelsey spent her first birthday in hospital and it was feared she might lose a kidney during surgery as it was so close to the tumour, but she made an amazing recovery and has helped to promote Cancer Research UK ever since.
 
Kelsey was finally given the all-clear from cancer last summer and rang the bell at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital to celebrate such a momentous occasion.
 
She was VIP guest at Race for Life Oldham back in 2007 aged just three.
 
Kelsey, who is a Year 10 pupil at Newman RC College, said, “I can’t recall being poorly or being special guest at Race for Life when I was little. 

But it will be brilliant taking part in the summer with my family knowing I’ve had the all-clear and can look forward to a positive future.”
 
Mum Melanie said, “Our experience means we understand all too clearly why Cancer Research UK’s work is so important. We are very excited to take part in Race for Life and would urge as many people as possible to join us on the day.”

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring series of 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.

Jane Bullock, Cancer Research UK’s North West spokeswoman, said, “Kelsey and her family are an absolute inspiration.

By following their lead, and joining the Race for Life in Oldham, people can make a real difference in the fight against cancer. 

Our Race for Life events are fun, colourful, emotional and uplifting. You don’t need to be sporty to take part. You don’t have to train, and you certainly don’t need to compete against anyone else.”

One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer, at some point during their lifetime, but the good news is more people are surviving the disease now than ever before. 

Cancer survival in the UK has doubled since the early 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress.

Jane continued, “Every day, 110 people are diagnosed with cancer in the North West. To make a significant difference in the fight against cancer we need to harness as much energy and commitment as possible, and that’s why we need everyone to join.

We’re urging mums, dads, nans, grandpas, brothers, sisters, friends and workmates to show their support by joining the Race for Life. It’s a perfect example of everyday people doing an extraordinary thing – uniting in a common cause to beat cancer.

We encourage our participants to help raise money in what every way they like – there are lots of ideas on the Race for Life website - because this allows Cancer Research UK to fund vital research that saves lives.”

One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer, at some point during their lifetime, but the good news is more people are surviving the disease now than ever before. 

Cancer survival in the UK has doubled since the early 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress.

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