A TEACHER who lost her mum to cancer is calling on people of all ages to take part in Shine Night Walk for Cancer Research UK, following the success of the first event in York last year.
The exciting night-time walking event is an opportunity to come together to beat cancer at the same time as seeing some of the city’s famous landmarks such as York Minster, the Shambles and Clifford’s Tower, lit up at night.
Last year the Shine starter horn was sounded by Emily Wilson, 27, originally from Skerne outside Driffield, whose mum Amanda Wilson died of cancer in December 2016 at just 56 years old.
Emily, who is now a teacher in Newcastle, is calling on people to unite again this year for the 10k walking event to raise money for life-saving research.
Shine participants can choose to raise money for the area of cancer research closest to their hearts out 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 finishing her first year studying law at Northumbria University, her mum Amanda was diagnosed with breast cancer.
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.
Sadly though in June 2016 Amanda was diagnosed with bowel cancer after having problems with what she thought was bloating.
Emily said: “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.
The chemotherapy for the bowel cancer started in September 2016 and Amanda kept her positive outlook.
But in November the family were given the devastating news that the treatment wasn’t working and the cancer was spreading, leaving Amanda with just 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.”
Emily sounded the starter horn for Shine and took part in the event, along with her partner Mark and his family as well as her dad and his partner.
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 in Rowntree Park at 7.30pm on Friday 4 October and participants will take to the city streets in a fun and inspirational parade of light.
York is one of just ten locations across the UK selected to hold Shine Night Walk events in 2019.
Emma Colbourne, Cancer Research UK York Event Manager, said: “We’re delighted to bring Cancer Research UK’s Shine Night Walk back to the city following its success in 2018. We hope the whole community will again come together to light up the city streets and make this a night to remember. We want everyone to sign up and start fundraising for research that 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: “Participants can choose to complete the course at their own speed, from a leisurely stroll to a lively stride to a full-on power walk. Training guidance and fundraising advice will be provided before the big night and there’ll be special points along the route to help keep everyone going.
“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.”
Cancer Research UK receives no Government funding for its ground-breaking research. So money raised through Shine Night Walk 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 visit www.shinewalk.org
