Small victories in fight against killer disease

Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of the East Kilbride News.

Each week, we run a number of stories from people fundraising or doing their bit for charity.

These are heartwarming tales which often have a sad story behind them.

On page 11, you will be able to read about the fourth-annual ‘Tea for Stewart’ event in East Kilbride.

Organised in memory of Stewart Smith, who tragically died in 2014 at the age of just 28 having fought a brave battle against bowel cancer, folk are able to enjoy a bite to eat and a brew while donating a few quid to Cancer Research UK.

Stewart’s wife Geraldine and his mum Mary came up with the idea of raising money for The Bobby Moore Fund – an arm of Cancer Research UK – which specialises in research of treatments for bowel cancer.

Thousands of pounds have been raised and credit to Stewart’s family and all who have supported their fundraising efforts.

Statistically, more people are surviving cancer and, one day, a cure will be found for a disease which will have affected almost every family.

When that day comes, people like Stewart’s family and all of us who have donated and chipped in will be able to say that we made it happen.

Until then, every penny raised and every life well lived following diagnosis represents a small victory against this dreadful disease.

Are you fundraising in memory of a loved one? Get in touch with us using one of the methods on the left-hand side of this page.

We’ve the usual mix of news, features and competitions in today’s paper. As always, let us know what you think.