The daughter of a York mum who died from bowel cancer, will sound the starter horn for Shine – Cancer Research UK’s exciting new fundraising event in the city.
Emily Wilson, 26, originally from Skerne outside Driffield, lost her mum Amanda Wilson who died of cancer in December 2016 at just 56 years old.
Emily will be the beacon of light for the 1200 participants signed up to take part in Cancer Research UK’s Shine Night Walk which is coming to York for the first time, on October 12.
The city is one of just six locations in the UK selected to hold Shine Night Walk events in 2018.
The 10k walk will see people of all ages and abilities uniting through light to raise money for life-saving research. People are invited to sign up now and choose to raise money for the area of cancer research closest to their hearts.
Participants can choose to support one of 12 different areas of scientific research. These include prostate cancer, testicular cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer, children’s cancers and leukaemia. Or they can simply give their backing to Cancer Research UK’s overall work.
In 2011 when Emily was 18 and just finishing her first year at Northumbria University studying law, Amanda was diagnosed with breast cancer, but she “took it all in her stride and remained positive throughout treatment”.
Emily, who now lives in Newcastle, said: “My dad and I struggled to cope, but she supported us through it all, when it should have been the other way round. That’s how strong she was. She had surgery and chemotherapy and a year later we were told the fantastic news that she was in remission.”
Following the news Emily’s mum and dad, Chris Wilson, moved house from their home in Skerne to the village of East Cottingwith outside York, got a puppy and spent the next few years making amazing memories together having put cancer behind them.
Emily, a teacher at Kenton Multi Academy Trust in Newcastle, said: “We had some fantastic holidays together and I particularly treasure cycling through Central Park in New York with my mum.”
Sadly though for the family, in June 2016 Amanda was diagnosed with bowel cancer after having problems with what she thought was bloating.
Emily added: “None of us saw it coming. We had put cancer behind us and were getting on with life and then this diagnosis came from nowhere. But mum being mum took it all in her stride and remained positive.”
The following month Amanda underwent surgery to try to remove the cancer and on her discharge from The York Hospital, where she had been treated, was ready to celebrate with lunch out with her daughter and husband.
Emily said: “After the surgery we had a month to enjoy before she began chemotherapy so we had all kinds of exciting trips together. Spending time with my mum and dad was so special.”
The chemotherapy for the bowel cancer started in September 2016, however Amanda kept her positive outlook.
But in November, three quarters of the way into treatment the family were given the devastating news that it wasn’t working and the cancer was spreading, leaving Amanda with just a matter of weeks to live.
“The devastation we felt is indescribable. To be told your best friend was going to die was like having your heart wrenched out”, said Emily.
“The final weeks were not happy times, but I’m so grateful to have been able to spend every day with my mum. Mum was sent to St Leonard’s Hospice in York – and they were fantastic with us all. They helped us through a difficult time.”
Emily raised just under £3000 for Cancer Research UK by running the Great North Run last year. After sounding the starter horn for Shine, she too will be walking all over cancer and participating in the event, along with her partner and his family.
She said: “The most important thing to me is that we find cures for all cancers so people don’t have to die from it anymore. I wouldn’t want anyone to have to go through what my mum did.”
The Shine Night Walk starts at Rowntree Park at 7.30pm and participants will take to the city streets in a fun and inspirational parade of light. The route will pass landmarks such as the York Minster, the Shambles, Clifford’s Tower and finish at The Barbican.
Emma Colbourne, Cancer Research UK York Event Manager, said: “We’re delighted that Emily is sounding the starter horn for York’s first ever Cancer Research UK’s Shine Night Walk. Emily is a true inspiration and shows how the memories of loved ones can shine on, to help others.
“The battle against cancer never stops and people in York should be proud of the support they’re giving us. The funds raised will bring hope to people affected by the disease.”
One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives, but the good news is more people are surviving the disease now than ever before. Cancer survival in the UK has doubled since the early 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress.
Emma added: “We’ve currently got 1200 participants taking part in Shine – they’ll be lighting up the streets of York and it’s going to be such a wonderful sight. They can choose to complete the course at their own speed, from a leisurely stroll to a lively stride to a full-on power walk. There’ll be special points along the route to help keep everyone going too.
“The atmosphere on the evening promises to be unique as the community unites in the fight against the disease. It’s a special opportunity for people to come together to remember loved ones lost to cancer or celebrate the lives of those dear to them who have survived.”
By taking part in Shine Night Walk York, participants will be making a real difference to local men, women and children who face the disease.
Every day, around 80 people are told they have cancer in Yorkshire & The Humber* and around 29,900 people are diagnosed in the region each year.
Organisers hope 1,200 people will choose to put their best foot forward and raise £60,000 to support pioneering research.
Cancer Research UK receives no Government funding for its ground-breaking research. So, money raised through Shine Night Walk York is crucial to the pioneering work of doctors, nurses and scientists who are fighting cancer on all fronts.
Cancer Research UK is also calling on local men and women to help spread the word about Shine Night Walk before the big day to encourage as many people as possible to enter, as well as helping at the event. Volunteers will gain practical, hands-on experience in event marketing, working with people from all walks of life, while contributing to a seriously worthwhile cause.
To enter Shine Night Walk, visit shinewalk.org
