A TALENTED dancer diagnosed with cancer on St Patrick’s Day led the charge against the disease at Race for Life Fife.
Eleven-year-old Saoirse O’Halloran was chosen as VIP starter to sound the horn ahead of a bumper programme of events at Beveridge Park, Kirkcaldy, on Sunday (May 14).
Around 1,700 people took, and more than £92,689 was raised for Cancer Research UK, vital funds which will enable scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer – helping to save more lives.
It was a proud day for Saoirse, a pupil at St Margaret’s Primary in Dunfermline. She stood at the start line to cheer on participants along with her sister Aoife, 15, brother Eamon, 15, and her mum Julie Keith.
Saoirse who is a member of the Centre Stage Performing Arts dance school in Crossgates, has seen her life change since she was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, a cancer of the white blood cells on March 17 this year.
Treatment means she will be unable to represent Scotland at the World Dance Championships in Portugal as planned this summer but Saoirse is determined to get back on the dance floor soon.
Saoirse’s mum, Julie, 41, said: “Right from the start of her cancer journey, Saoirse’s positivity and courage has shone through.
“Her attitude from day one was let’s get through cancer so I can return to the things I love most. Saoirse has been dancing for almost as long as she could walk. She’s always been so active. Cancer is every parent’s worst nightmare. You can’t take it away from them, you can’t fix it, and there is nothing you can do to make it right.
“The dance community across Fife have been amazing, like a family helping us through treatment. Saoirse is just about to finish block two of four rounds of chemotherapy and she is definitely missing her ordinary life but she is so resilient.
“Now if we can support others going through cancer then we will. I’ve done Race for Life in the past but this year it means even more.”
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.
Pure Radio Scotland presenter Lynne Hoggan hosted on stage at Race for Life Fife and Neale Hanvey MP attended to give out medals to all who crossed the finish line of the 3k, 5k and 10k events.
Participants included a team who raised more than £1,000 in memory of Sheena Keddie, a dermatology nurse from Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy who died from breast cancer in August last year.
Sheena’s daughter, Joanna Keddie said: “I was thinking of my mum every step of the way of Race for Life today. I love her so much and she’s missed by her best friends who were here to support today.”
David Torrance MSP attended in the afternoon to give out medals to everyone who completed the mud-splattered 5k obstacle course, Pretty Muddy.
Now organisers of Race for Life Fife 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 spokeswoman in Scotland, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in Race for Life Fife.
“Life-saving research is being funded right now thanks to our supporters who fundraise. The atmosphere at Race for Life Fife was hugely moving – full of emotion, courage, tears and laughter 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. Funds raised – whether it’s £10 or £100 – will help scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, helping save more lives.”
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life raises funds for world-class research to help beat 200 types of cancer – including bowel cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung, testicular cancer, brain cancer, children’s cancers and leukaemia.
Chief executive of Standard Life, Andy Curran, said: “We are extremely proud to have been chosen as the headline sponsor of Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life. This sponsorship will help encourage participation and raise funds for life-saving research to help beat cancer.”
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