Breast cancer patient Sarah Horton is under starter's orders to inspire other women to run for the Liverpool Women’s 10K in aid of the Yes To Life charity.
Sarah, 43, was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2007, and has had six surgeries and various treatments during the past three years.
She began training in January for the event on Sunday 9 May 2010, just weeks after her last surgery.
With the support of her coach and personal trainer Karen Choudhary, she has gone from running one minute, to a full hour non-stop in just ten weeks. Karen will be running with her on the day and collecting donations.
Now Sarah is going the distance to encourage other cancer patients to beat the mindset of 'fighting for their life,' to keep excercising and take control of their life.
Sarah said, “Yes to Life have been a key part in my treatment for breast cancer. They helped me give myself the best chance of staying alive, by making my own integrated individual treatment plan to support my NHS treatment. Now I want to give something back.”
Karen said, "Sarah has been great to work with, she has been completely focussed on her goal.
"She is an inspiration to all women to regain control of their health despite any setbacks or obstacles life may place in their path."
Sarah and Karen have made a short fundraising film to show their commitment to raising money for Yes to Life, which you can watch here.
Sarah added: "I am delighted to now be well enough to be doing this run, but I don’t consider myself a ‘survivor.’
"I have not ‘fought’ or ‘battled’ cancer. With the help of Yes to Life I took control of my treatment plan, to ensure I had the best treatment for me as an individual, not as a statistic.
"I will not be wearing pink for breast cancer. I have serious issues with the way women are expected to be nice and pink, and smile through this killer disease.
“I’ve not run for charity before but this is different. Yes to Life helped save my life, and I want them to help other people like me.”
Sarah has written a frank and candid book about the emotions surrounding breast cancer, as well as raising questions about the lack of research into prevention and the whole pink culture surrounding breast cancer.
It will be released by Liverpool publisher Wordscapes in May 2010.
To sponsor Sarah’s run, please visit her Just Giving page: http://www.justgiving.com/BeingSarah
Contact Karen Choudhary to discuss your personal training needs at KarenChoudhary@sky.com or find her on facebook.
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