Story
Hi everyone! My name is Gilly McLaren, and I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 33 last March 2020, just as the pandemic was unfolding. I was, like so many ovarian cancer patients, diagnosed at an advanced stage after a long misdiagnosis. I am therefore very keen to raise awareness, to help prevent others going through this. CRUK ask you to write on the back of the sign you wear for the 5k, a person or reason you're personally running for. I knew immediately who I'd write. I'm running in memory of, and to honour, my wonderful friend and colleague, Teresa. I miss her very much; she was a true 'salt of the earth' person. Teresa has been a leading light and inspiration through my diagnosis and treatment. I can't summarise her in a few sentences; she was so much to so many people. I had the privilege of meeting and working with her in my job. She was very funny, bright, witty, loving, caring, empathetic, compassionate and much more. I'll never forget her bright smiling face and laughs we shared. Leaving Teresa's funeral last February 2020, I had to get straight in the car to go to my own CT scan, before my diagnosis 2 weeks later. I remember on that day (as I knew something was wrong,) thinking, look how courageous she has been. I'm so admiring of her bravery, her radiance and positivity to the end. It was inspirational to me as I started my own journey; the journey no one wants to be on. I'd therefore like to run in honour of Teresa My story can be read from any of the links below, amongst others: https://ovarian.org.uk/news-and-blog/your-stories/gillians-ovarian-cancer-journey/ https://www.scotsman.com/news/people/the-drawings-gave-my-mind-something-to-focus-on-scottish-artist-has-created-a-series-of-drawings-depicted-her-journey-after-cancer-diagnosis-3334026 https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/artist-who-fought-cancer-sketches-24702636 Cancer Research UK have shared my story to raise awareness of ovarian cancer, and asked me to be an ambassador for their Race for Life this year. I plan to do the 5k Race for Life on 26th September, at Hopetoun House. (A mixture of running and walking perhaps!) If anyone would like to join, it'd be great to see you there. There's also a donation page here, for anyone who would like to donate. I fully respect some folk have other commitments at that time, or on that day, but if you would like to donate, then it is going to such a worthy cause. Please get in touch, if you'd like to join me. I still can hardly believe the statistic that we now live with - that 1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. I wouldn't wish for anyone to go through cancer and it's treatment. Every single pound you donate makes a difference to Cancer Research UK’s ground-breaking work. Many thanks Gilly