Carolyn to share her story before big race

A mum who has twice beaten cancer after losing her own mum to the disease will officially start Wigan's Race For Life event.
Carolyn CrossCarolyn Cross
Carolyn Cross

Carolyn Cross, from Standish, will be the guest of honour at the annual fund-raiser for Cancer Research UK at Haigh Woodland Park tonight (Wednesday).

The 53-year-old will share her story on stage before more than 400 participants run or walk 5km at the park.

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Carolyn, who is clerk to Wrightington Parish Council, has raised more than £70,000 for Cancer Research UK by holding monthly coffee mornings.

She was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2002, at the age of 38, and was treated with a radical hysterectomy.

In 2008, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and had further surgery to remove the cancer.

Carolyn, who lost her mum to breast cancer, said: “I know many of the women who take part in Race For Life will have their own experiences of cancer and so I hope it will be a positive event where we are all determined to help others by raising money for Cancer Research UK.

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“I’m urging women in Wigan to join us on the starting line at Race For Life because every participant and every penny counts.”

Cancer Research UK’s Race For Life is a women-only series, which raises millions of pounds every year to find new ways to tackle cancer.

The Wigan event has previously been held on Sundays, but has been moved to 7.30pm on Wednesday in a bid to ease traffic problems.

Carolyn was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2008 and had further surgery to remove the cancer.

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The mum-of-two who has grown up boys Paul, 27, and Jack, 22, and three step children John, Leanne and David, said: “She said: “I had surgery six weeks after my cancer diagnosis and was a big believer in staying positive.

“I’ve always made sure I talk about cancer. The more you talk about something the more you raise awareness.

“All through my treatment, I had amazing support from my family and friends.

“Now I’m determined to help raise money to make sure that others benefit from the amazing work carried out by the doctors, nurses and scientists the charity funds.”

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Carolyn and her husband John set up a series of coffee mornings at Mossy Lea Village Hall in 2008 and over the years they’ve raised just over £70,000 for the cancer research.

Registration for the Race for Life in Wigan has now closed, but there is still time to get involved in other events in the borough.

The Race For Life will also be held at Pennington Flash on Sunday, June 4 and there will be both 5km and 10km events at Haydock Park Racecourse on Sunday, July 16.

To enter, visit raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.