Cancer survivor to start Race for Life
A courageous schoolgirl who has survived leukaemia will sound an air horn to start Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in Exeter on Sunday, 27 July at 10am.
Jasmine Larkman, aged 11, from Crediton, will be the guest of honour at the event at Westpoint Exeter.
She will start the formidable army of nearly 4,000 women on their way round the 5k and 10k routes to raise money for Cancer Research UK’s pioneering work.
Among the sea of women are many who have survived cancer themselves or are participating in memory or celebration of loved ones.
Reading their ‘back signs’, which proclaim their reason for taking part in Race for Life, is a very emotional experience. Many signs have been beautifully decorated with photographs in tribute to loved ones whose lives have been touched by the disease.
Jasmine will be cheering on older sister Beth and her group of friends.
Jasmine was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2010, after mum Rachel noticed bruises on her legs while they were on holiday, and a change in her personality.
Following tests at the Bramble Ward at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital Jasmine was diagnosed, and was treated with chemotherapy at the Royal Hospital for Children in Bristol for over two years. Despite her hair falling out and being away from big sister Beth and brother Alex, Jasmine showed plenty of fighting spirit.
Rachel said: "Jasmine had many problems on the way, but finished treatment in December, 2012. As soon as she went back to school in January, 2013, she complained of headaches and a stiff neck and was diagnosed with a relapse.
"It was such a bad time. We had been so relieved to have got to the end of treatment, and then we started all over again. It was difficult as we were in Bristol so much, in and out of hospital, and it was a big strain financially, too."
Doctors told the family that Jasmine needed a bone marrow donor and as they were hoping for a sibling match, tests were carried out on Beth and Alex.
"It was a double-edged sword when Beth was a match," Rachel said. "It was brilliant for Jasmine as it was the best outcome to find a family donor, but now both my girls were involved."
The successful operation brought the two sisters even closer together, though, and Jasmine was attending dance classes three months after the transplant. And despite losing over a stone, she returned to weekly ballet, freestyle and tap lessons.
Rachel continued: “We are sharing Jasmine’s story in the hope of spurring on more people to take part in Cancer Research UK's Race for Life in Exeter because of our personal experience of the importance of the charity's work, which in turn relies on everyone who raises money through Race for Life.”
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring women-only series of 5k and 10k events which raises millions of pounds every year to fund life-saving research.
Organisers hope participants at the Exeter event will raise £218,497. Last year 3300 women took part and helped raise £174,380 for Cancer Research UK.
Exeter Race for Life is the final event in this year’s Devon calendar which includes 5k events in Barnstaple and Plymouth.
Ruth Chamings, Race for Life event manager for Devon, said: “We are very grateful to Jasmine for supporting Race for Life. Her courage in coping with cancer is truly inspirational.
Every day, 84 people in the South West are diagnosed with cancer.*
She added: “The atmosphere at Race for Life is unique. You can sense the incredible power and strength that comes from thousands of women joining together to confront cancer.
“By taking part, or sponsoring someone who is participating, you can help Cancer Research UK’s doctors, nurses and scientists make advances in research which will help more men, women and children in the South West survive.
“We still have places at the event - entries will close on Friday 25th July at midnight - so we hope that local women will grab the opportunity to sign up today and help us hit cancer where it hurts.”
Cancer Research UK receives no Government funding for its ground-breaking research but with help from the people in the South West the charity intends to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.
There is still time to enter Race for Life at www.raceforlife.org or by calling 0845 600 6050.
For more information visit www.westpointexeter.co.uk/whats-on
