The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
New mum is face of Stand Up To Cancer Campaign: Bid to raise research cash
A new mother who was diagnosed with cancer when her son was eight months old is backing a campaign urging people to stand up to the disease.
Shiela Laramore, 33, was diagnosed with aggressive Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the white blood cells, on September 23 last year.
After chemotherapy from last October until December and three weeks of radiotherapy in January she was declared cancer free in May. Mrs Laramore has now been chosen as the face of Scotland’s Stand Up To Cancer campaign, a joint fundraising initiative from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4 which aims to speed up the development of new treatments.
Mrs Laramore, an RAF Association welfare officer from Dunbar, East Lothian, whose son Harry is now one, said: “Nobody should have to worry about not seeing their children grow up. When I first learned I had cancer I just sat there thinking ‘That’s it. I’m going to die.’ I kept thinking ‘Am I going to live to see my baby become a little boy and grow up?’ But I got through cancer and I know research saves lives. That’s why I’m giving my heartfelt support to join the rebellion.
“Stand Up To Cancer raises money to speed up more effective treatments for people who need it.
She and husband Gabriel, 31, struggled to take in news of the diagnosis.
However doctors said although her cancer was aggressive, it was also treatable. She added: “My cancer was caught early which means it was easier to treat. But I’d urge anyone who notices anything out of the ordinary to go to the doctor.”