A MUM who has been fighting cancer for nearly nine years will be a special guest when Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life returns to the town in June after a two-year break.
Kerry Burton will go up on stage to inspire around 1,200 participants as they prepare to set off, before mucking in with volunteer helpers to ensure the event runs smoothly.
The 46-year-old, who is battling cancer for the fourth time, lives in hope that scientists will soon discover a way of keeping her cancer at bay.
She has faced on-going chemotherapy since first being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, because current treatments cannot stop her cancer returning.
At one point doctors gave Kerry just two years to live after it was discovered the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, neck, shoulder and lungs.
But treatment and true grit helped her survive for over the expected five years.
Now Kerry wants to show how it’s possible to live a full life with cancer despite the worst diagnosis imaginable.
Urging people to keep funding research, Kerry said: “I have a triple negative cancer and when I am not having chemotherapy, there is nothing to fight it and stop it coming back. I hope scientists can discover something to keep it at bay a little bit.”
The Air Ambulance Executive Assistant has just finished her latest course of chemotherapy after her cancer returned a fourth time in August last year.
But while Kerry’s condition is considered stable, she now faces a waiting game – and needs to be extra vigilant and report any changes in her body to her medical team.
“Things are often up in the air when you have cancer,” she said. “The treatment is all part of my life cycle.
“I keep going back and then I have some respite for 18 months and then I need more chemotherapy. That is just the way it is.”
Kerry, who has taken part in Race for Life over many years, has decided to be a volunteer helper at the Rugby event, along with husband Shaun, 46, and children Lucy, 19, and James, 17, as well as several friends.
She added: “My running days may be over but I always was much better at cheering than running!
“Events don’t take place without volunteers. They are almost as important as the women taking part. Without volunteers there would be no events.”
Katie Martin, Cancer Research UK’s Warwickshire Event Manager, said: “Kerry went up on stage two years ago when Race for Life was last in Rugby.
“At that time she was in the middle of treatment after being diagnosed a second time with cancer.
“I am sure Kerry will inspire the women taking part to know their contribution is helping to fund life-saving research to help women like her.
“Every day, 85 people are diagnosed with cancer in the West Midlands. That’s why we’re calling on women in Warwickshire to sign up to Race for Life right now. Together, we can stop this devastating disease in its tracks.”
Women of all ages, shapes and sizes are encouraged to take part at the new Race for Life venue at Draycote Water on Saturday June 17. The 5k and 10k events both start at 11am. A bus services will be available from the town centre.
Visit www.raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770 to enter.
