Oldham cancer survivor vows to Race for Life at Home

A teenage cancer survivor from Oldham is inspiring people to Race for Life at Home and carry on the fight against the disease in these unprecedented times.

Race for Life Oldham is among events which organisers Cancer Research UK have had to postpone this spring and summer amid the coronavirus outbreak.

But as the nation continues on lockdown, undeterred women and men are already vowing to carry on and complete a Race for Life at Home challenge at home, in their garden or their nearest green space.

Kelsey Shyne-Slater, aged 16, and her family are loyal supporters of Race at Life.

The plucky youngster has been guest of honour at the event in Alexandra Park in Oldham twice. Once she was aged just three in 2007 and last summer aged 15.

Kelsey, from Royton, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when she was just six-months-old. Her mum Melanie had repeatedly visited the GP after finding lumps in her armpits and other parts of her body.

After the family were given the devastating cancer diagnosis, Kelsey embarked on six gruelling months of chemotherapy before undergoing surgery to have the tumour removed. At one point, she weighed the equivalent of a bag of sugar.

Kelsey spent her first birthday in hospital and it was feared she might lose a kidney during surgery as it was so close to the tumour, but she made an amazing recovery and has helped to promote Cancer Research UK ever since.

She was finally given the all-clear from cancer in summer 2018 and rang the bell at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital to celebrate such a momentous occasion.

Kelsey Shyne-Slater with mum Melanie Slater

Kelsey, who is a Year 11 pupil at Newman RC College, said: “I can’t recall being poorly or being special guest at Race for Life when I was little.

“But it was brilliant being special guest last summer and we all had a great time taking part as the atmosphere was so amazing.

“I feel blessed to have had the all-clear from cancer and can look forward to a positive future now, but not everyone is as fortunate.

“We’re all going to be spending a lot of time indoors this spring, so it feels good to take back some control and plan something positive to help me and to help people who are going through cancer right now.”

Thanks to the generosity of people across the North West, Race for Life participants last year raised more than £2m in the region to support vital research to develop gentler and more effective treatments for cancer  – a disease that will affect one-in-two people in the UK at some stage in their lives.

Many of the scientists and researchers funded by Cancer Research UK are currently being redeployed to help in the fight against Covid-19, including assisting with testing. By helping to beat coronavirus, the charity can lessen the impact it is having on the care of cancer patients.

Jane Bullock, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for the North West, said: “At a time when it feels like everything is at a standstill, there is one thing that hasn’t stopped, cancer.

“Our priority as a charity is ensuring that people affected by cancer are getting the support they need right now.

“But we are already getting people asking about doing Race for Life at Home because they don’t want to see the charity lose out on vital funding. It’s truly humbling to see the response.

“So, from their homes, we’d love for supporters to join us and Race for Life at Home in these challenging times. From a run or 5K walk around the garden to limbo in the living room, there is no wrong way to Race for Life at Home.

"With no entry fee, people might choose to twerk, limbo, star jump, squat, skip, dance, or come up with their own novel way of taking part and share it with friends. The message is very much that ‘while we might be apart, we’re doing this together’. There is no wrong way to get involved and join our community.

“Those lucky enough to have a garden may choose to make use of it but whatever people decide to do, we are immensely grateful for the support, now more than ever. If the idea takes off, we could be looking at hundreds of people in Wigan stepping forward to Race for Life at Home and perhaps collecting sponsorship to do so.”

Kelsey Shyne-Slater at a Race for Life

People can visit raceforlife.org and sign up free for ideas on how they can create their own Race for Life at Home challenge. And the Cancer Research UK Race for Life Facebook page will help people feel energised with weekly live workout sessions. Organisers are also inviting participants to join the Race for Life at Home community by sharing photos and videos on social media using the hashtag, #RaceForLifeAtHome.

Every hour five people are diagnosed with cancer in the North West of England*. 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.

Jane continued: “Cancer is still happening right now and we want to do everything we can to help give people more tomorrows with their loved ones.

“At a time when we’re having to keep apart from each other, there is still a way to unite. We’re urging everyone who has supported Race for Life in the past to please continue supporting us. Sadly, cancer touches almost every family at some time.

“Race for Life is a hugely moving experience as people remember loved ones lost to cancer, celebrate the lives of those dear to them who have survived or support those going through treatment.

“We encourage those choosing to Race for Life at Home to participate in whatever way they like and there are lots of ideas on the Race for Life website. We appreciate that the current situation has resulted in financial uncertainty for many people, so people should only contribute sponsor money if they feel able to.”

A new date for Race for Life at Oldham’s Alexandra Park has not been set. But the event which was scheduled for Sunday June 21 is now cancelled.

Main image:

Kelsey Shyne-Slater with mum Melanie Slater.