A DEVOTED daughter whose mother died from cancer is among more than 900 women signed up for this year's Wirral Race For Life.

Pat Savage died from bladder cancer in February. Jacki Wright will be taking part in the run around Birkenhead Park in her memory on Sunday, July 27.

Pat first became unwell in 2011. She was in a great deal of pain and doctors initially thought she had kidney stones.

But as the months went on Pat became more unwell. She was sent for tests at the Royal Liverpool Hospital and given the devastating news that she had stage four bladder and kidney cancer.

She received chemotherapy treatment and underwent surgery to have one of her kidneys re-moved.

Last summer Pat became unwell again. Tests revealed that the cancer had spread to her liver and in February died, aged 68.

Jacki, from New Brighton, took early retirement from a her job as a registrar with Liverpool City Council to spend time with her mum.

She said: "It really was a terrible shock when mum was diagnosed with cancer, we couldn't believe it was happening to her.

"Mum was a real fighter and battled so hard against the cancer. It’s only been a few months since she passed away, we are completely devastated."

Jacki first took part in Race for Life four years ago and this year will be joined by 14 family members and friends, including her sister Shelley.

Jackie added: "Taking part in Race for Life is my way of fighting back against cancer for taking my mum. I miss her so much every day.

"It's always an incredibly emotional event, but I know mum would be proud of me and that by taking part I'll be helping other families have more precious time with their loved ones.

"That’s why I want women in the Wirral to join me, because united we are stronger than this terrible disease."

This year, organisers need 3,600 women and girls to stride out in the Wirral to help raise £350,000. So far, 941 have signed up.

 

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