Why I am racing for life!
In May 2006 I took part in my first Race for Life at Crystal Palace with two mums from school. We had started doing a bit of walking in the evenings as a way of getting fitter; actually I think our jaws got the most exercise! We gave ourselves a bit of a goal and decided to enter the Cancer Research Race for Life, a realistic 5K, it was good fun.
The following year I asked a couple of the girls at church if they fancied having a go. Their first reaction was to laugh but after a little while they came round to it and we had a team of 4 which consisted of my mum, Claire, Margaret and myself. This time we went up to the Regents Park event in London with thousands of other women, it was an amazing experience to be part of the sea of pink running, jogging and walking around the park. The following year a few more girls joined us, and the year after that we were up to 16. This year we have a team of 22 girls, ranging from the ages of 8 to 70+. I’ll be honest I can’t say I was passionate about Cancer Research as a charity, it wasn’t a charity I felt particularly strongly about , there are others that I feel my heart goes out to more.
But …most of us will have our lives affected in some way by cancer, either through knowing a friend or a friend of a friend, a family member or maybe even ourselves. My first experience of cancer was when I was a very little girl probably no older than about 6 and the lovely elderly lady next door died. It was called the big “C” and no one really liked to say the word, I don’t think I really knew what it was. But I was afraid of it and I can remember my very childish prayers “please God, don’t let anyone in my family get cancer.”
In 2004 my sister was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour, 6 months later my mum was diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma, and more recently my dad with prostate cancer. Talk about face your fear! This isn’t something that ever happens to us, it’s always someone else you hear about.
At the time those awful “it’s cancer” words are spoken it is easy to think “Why is this happening to us?” I prayed desperately for her to be healed and it was difficult to understand why God wasn’t doing that. But we can’t see the bigger picture, only God knows. Now I have absolutely no doubt that God had a plan and I have been privileged to be part of that plan. My sister died in October last year aged 42. In her dying and because of the peace and strength that God gave to me during that time and for no other reason, I have seen another member of my family give their life to Jesus - how amazing to be part of that!
So as a family we have been in great need of medical help, my sister was treated for her cancer brilliantly by the Marsden Hospital, she lived with it for 5 years and had numerous treatments. Mum has had chemo on and off and is currently stable. Dad starts his treatment in September. I praise God for the wonders of medicine, for giving us doctors and hospitals and scientists with amazing gifts and skills. It all comes from God; He is our healer not man.
So this year, first time ever, I will be running the Race For Life from start to finish. 5K or 3.1 miles, no great feat for all you marathon runners I’m sure, but a challenge for me nonetheless. And I will be running it not only to raise more desperately needed money for treatments and research for cancer but I will be running it for my family and as an act of praise and worship to God for all his goodness.
Jeremiah 29 v 11-14
‘ “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord.’
Julia
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