A COURAGEOUS cancer survivor has urged fellow Worcester women to muck in and help launch the city’s first Pretty Muddy event.
Jane Annis, of Bishops Avenue, Worcester, has agreed to sign up to the Cancer Research UK’s new Race for Life challenge which takes place on Saturday, May 30.
The women-only event will see the 49-year-old tackle a 5k obstacle course around Worcester Racecourse while raising money for life-saving research.
She said: “I can’t wait to take on Pretty Muddy and get down and dirty in the fight against cancer.
“I’m ready to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with women across the region who all want to show cancer who’s boss.”
The mum-of-two was diagnosed with breast cancer on Valentine’s Day 2012 after noticing a lump the size of a 10p piece in December 2011.
“It was a complete shock,” she said. “You hear those words and everything just shuts down. I remember crying and shaking. I phoned my sister and told her, but I didn’t tell my mum immediately because my stepdad died of cancer and I didn’t want to upset her.
“Once the cancer was certain and I was told chemotherapy would make all my hair fall out, I knew I couldn’t keep it secret anymore.
“It is the worst thing in the world to have to sit your children down and tell them you’ve got cancer. Their nan, my ex-husband’s mum, was dying of lung cancer at the time, so I knew it would be scary for them. The boys were fantastic – so brave and strong.”
Having just celebrated her three year survival milestone, Jane said she felt she could now put the experience behind her and urged others to take part in the Pretty Muddy event.
“Thanks to research, I’m now cancer free,” she added. “I’m determined to help others by raising money so Cancer Research UK can help even more people survive.
“That’s why I’m urging the brave ladies of Worcestershire to take part in Race for Life or Pretty Muddy and help beat cancer sooner.”
