by Justin Dunn

A WIRRAL cancer survivor taking part in this year's Race For Life has described how she turned the experience of succumbing to the disease into a positive force in her life.

Debbie Kancy had a high-powered job with an international conglomerate when she discovered she had cancer in November 2004.

"I found a lump and obviously went to the doctor straight away," she said. "He immediately booked me for a referral and because I was lucky enough to have private health care I found myself in BUPA Murrayfield four days later awaiting surgery.

"It was a terrible experience - very, very frightening, especially for my family. It is something you expect to happen to others, not yourself, and it changes the way you look at things forever."

For Debbie, that meant reappraising her life and reassessing her plans for the future. So at 42, the mother of two teenagers decided to quit her job.

"After having discovered the cancer and then being fortunate enough to eventually get a clean bill of health, I realised that I wanted to do something for myself," she said.

"It was a good career that I was walking away from, but it just felt like the right thing to do. And it was the best decision ever made."

Debbie has now opened the smart new caf bar Tides in Market Street, Hoylake, the result of a long-held dream.

Around 20 friends and staff members will join her running in Tides T-shirts when the 5km Race For Life, in aid of Cancer Research UK and supported by Tesco, takes place on June 4 in Birkenhead Park.

"Having survived cancer, this is my way of giving something back," she added. "I hope as many people as possible take part because it really is the most worthy cause.

"I'm going to pay the registration fees for everyone who's running with me and we hope to raise as much money in sponsorship as we possibly can."

More than 800 women have signed up so far to take part in this year's Race For Life. There are over 4,000 places available in all, and organisers are hoping to beat their target of £270,000.

Debbie is also planning a charity night at Tides in aid of Cancer Research UK. For more information, call Tides on 632 6974.

q To take place in the run, visit www.raceforlife.org.