HEALTH Go orange to help cancer patients

TWO inspirational cancer survivors who have tackled 12 marathons between them are encouraging the public to get “orangeified” in a bid to raise money for cancer research.

Close friends Alice Roythorne and Sarah Fry completed their latest marathon in Birmingham on Sunday, October 15 for Stand Up To Cancer.

It is a joint fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4 which aims to get new pioneering tests and treatments to cancer patients, faster.

Alice, from St Athan, was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2003 while she was pregnant with her daughter Macie, and then again in 2013 with Ewing’s sarcoma.

Sarah Fry, a 44-year-old adult nursing lecturer at Cardiff University, was diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was 27.

Both women are now cancer free and have joined their running companions, Tom Bourton, and Sarah’s beloved dog, Lucy, to call on the public to raise vital funds by wearing the colour orange at school, at work or with friends.

Alice, 41, started running after her first diagnosis 14 years ago.

She said: “I signed up for Race for Life as I wanted to give something back. I started training just after I had Macie so finding time to run was tricky at times.

“Since then it has been something I have always done. Running is my ‘me time,’ time to think or clear my head after a busy day.”

Just two years after her second cancer diagnosis, Alice completed her first marathon.

“I found it really difficult when I couldn’t run for a year after I was diagnosed the second time. My body just couldn’t handle it as I was too exhausted from treatment,” she said.

“I was extremely proud to run the London Marathon for Cancer Research UK in 2015. It was very tough building up to that so soon after such intense treatment but I like to have a goal, something to focus on.”

And running is something which Alice now never takes for granted.

“When it is difficult and I am struggling, I just think about the fact that I can,” said Alice.

“Even if it feels torturous, that thought alone makes me smile and think ‘I might be out in the pouring rain but I am here.’”

Sarah, a PhD student at the School of Healthcare Sciences at Cardiff University, has also found comfort and solace in running.

When Sarah was diagnosed with a brain tumour she recalls feeling frightened and alone.

“I remember feeling that my independent life had to be put on hold and I had no idea what the future would bring,” she said.

“I had long spells in intensive care due to symptoms of the brain tumour and in 2001, I had surgery to remove my right temporal lobe to remove the tumour.”

Following the surgery, Sarah was diagnosed with epilepsy.

She said: “I still live with the sideeffects of the treatment but running gives me a new focus. I love running and often go out running with my dog, Lucy, who loved getting dressed up for the campaign!

“We’re delighted to show our support for Stand Up To Cancer by dressing up in orange. It’s a fun and easy way to get involved and help raise money to save more lives. We’re determined to do all that we can to raise money and help fund life-saving cancer research.”

Since it was launched in the UK in 2012, Stand Up To Cancer has raised more than £38m to fund more than 40 clinical trials and research projects.