A NURSE who is being treated for ovarian cancer is among thousands of woman registered for this year's Wirral Race for Life.

Debbie Taaffe, from Prenton, was diagnosed BRCA-2, a deadly form of the disease in June last year, and is urging more people to sign up for the event, which takes place in Birkenhead Park on Sunday, July 10 at 11am. So far, 2700 people have signed up to take part.

Debbie, 47, a paediatric nurse at Arrowe Park Hospital, started to feel exhausted in December 2009. She was suffering severe pain and her stomach had become so swollen she appeared pregnant.

Initially diagnosed with gallstones, the mum-of-three suspected there was something more seriously wrong. When she was eventually diagnosed with cancer, Debbie and her family were devastated.

But she has remained upbeat and determined to survive the disease which has already killed several members of her family, including her parents, uncle and cousin.

Debbie, who has four grandchildren, recently returned to work part-time following chemotherapy treatment and surgery. Her hair is starting to grow back and will be guest of honour at Race For Life in Birkenhead, joining in the countdown and set the participants off.

Debbie said: “When I was eventually told I had cancer, it was oddly a relief as I had known all along that there was something more seriously wrong with me than gallstones.

"It did take a long time to be diagnosed which means it’s likely that my cancer will return. But I don't want to die yet and have a lot to live for, so I am determined to remain positive.

Both she and sister Sue kicked-off publicity for Race for Life by posing with Liverpool's iconic superlambanana.

The iconic landmark was painted pink to mark the countdown to Race for Life season and emblazoned with the Cancer Research UK's Liverpool Cancer Trials Unit logo.

Two of Debbie’s sisters, London-based Julie Gwynn and Shirley Clarke have both been treated for breast cancer.

Another sister, Sue Parker, who lives opposite Debbie has tested negative for the BRCA-2 gene.

Of an extended family of 15, nine members of the family have all tested positive for the BRCA-2 gene. But Debbie is the only member to have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and plans to have a double mastectomy to reduce her future risk of being diagnosed with cancer.

She continued: "Cancer has had a dreadful impact on my family. But I am really looking forward to taking part in my first ever Race for Life and helping to raise as much money as possible for Cancer Research UK.

"Having met the gang of researchers from Cancer Research UK's Liverpool Cancer Trials Unit I can see first-hand just how vital the money raised by Race for Life events are to the charity."

To take part log onto www.raceforlife.org (see related links section below this article) or call 0871 641 1111.