A WIRRAL nurse who lost her mum and mother-in-law to cancer is among those taking part in this year's Race for Life.

Julie Lloyd's mum Mary Pritchard died from lung cancer 20 years ago. Mother-in-law Maureen Lloyd lost her battle with the disease in 2005. 

Now she is urging mums, daughters, sisters and friends to make a defiant stand against cancer by entering the Globe-backed event in Birkenhead Park on Sunday, July 27.

Julie, who works as a community nurse in the Wallasey and Birkenhead area, said: "When my mum was first diagnosed with cancer it came as a huge shock to us all."

Julie's mum, Mary, underwent radiotherapy treatment after she was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1994. 

But was admitted to the Wirral Hospice St John lost her battle to the disease aged 57.

Julie, who is married to husband David and is mum to Christopher, 21 and Sara, 18, said: "It was such a difficult time - my son had just turned one and I was suffering badly with post-natal depression.

"So when I lost mum to cancer I really felt like my world was going to end. 

"She was always there for me and suddenly she was gone - it was such a huge shock."

In 2004, Julie’s mother-in-law Maureen Lloyd was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer.

She received chemotherapy treatment, but lost her battle to the disease aged 66.

Julie said: "Cancer has been very prominent throughout my life. I have lost family members and friends to the disease and as a community nurse I have supported and nursed lots of patients with cancer."

"Taking part in Race for Life was my way of fighting back against cancer for taking both my mum and mother-in-law.

"It was an incredibly emotional event, but I know they would have been proud of me and that by taking part I was able to help other families have more precious time with their loved ones.

"This year I am unable to do Race for Life because of a back injury, but, I will be there supporting the event on the day and that's why I want other women in the Wirral to join in, because united we are stronger than this terrible disease."

The Globe has been Race For Life's official newspaper since 2006.

This year, organisers need 3,600 women and girls to stride out in the Wirral to help raise £350,000.

So far, less than 200 people have signed for the event in Birkenhead Park on July 27.

To join them visit www.raceforlife.org or call 0845 600 6050.