A GIANT Race for Life wall which pays tribute to a family from Sale has gone up at Heaton Park to encourage people to take part in Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.

Sisters Elisse and Sheridan Grady will feature on the giant Race for Life wall to encourage people in the town to sign up for this year’s Race for Life and Pretty Muddy on 13/14th July.

The sisters’ personal story and motivation behind their participation in Race for Life will be displayed on a giant back sign at the venue – like the signs worn by participants on their backs and a key element of both the events and this year’s campaign. The wall is designed to mirror the hugely emotional reflection area set up on event day, where participants come together to remember loved ones lost to cancer, celebrate the lives of those dear to them who have survived or support those going through treatment.

When asked what Race for Life events mean to them, the sisters explained: “We Race for Life because we lost our Nan to cancer and we refuse to lose our Dad, Mikey. We also run for all those who are also affected by this awful disease – the races make you feel like you are a part of something so much bigger than yourself. Sometimes you and your family can feel so lonely in the process of tests, illness, diagnosis etc that being around so many positive, strong people going through the same is so overwhelmingly amazing.”

Elisse and Sheridan will also feature in a social media campaign with posts on the Cancer Research UK’s North West Events Twitter account (@CRUKEventsNW).The sisters continued:

“We have always supported the Race for Life events; they are extremely important to us. We’ve participated in the running events – 5K, Pretty Muddy and 10K for the last four or five years. Something we always come back to is our Dad constantly telling us that PMA (positive mental attitude) might not cure the cancer, but it will sure as hell get you through the poking and prodding and the slum of diagnosis and treatment. If you want PMA by the bucket load – these events are where to go.

We can’t even explain it, the atmosphere is something else – everyone working, supporting, participating are incredible, incredible people.”

To those who have not yet signed up, they urge them to do so, adding: “DO IT. It is so rewarding! When you are struggling on that 10th K and you think your legs might give up, strangers you’ve never met before help you dig that little bit deeper and you realise that it’s nothing compared to cancer – it’s uplifting. If you know you’re doing something that could potentially save someone’s life, or the generations to come, then what on earth have you got to lose?! It’s so important and will be one of the best things you ever do – we promise that”

Kirsti Thompson, Cancer Research UK’s Manchester Event Manager, said: “We’re very grateful to Elisse and Sheridan for their support with this campaign. By following their lead and joining the Race for Life in Manchester, people can make a real difference in the fight against cancer.”

“Our Race for Life events are fun, colourful, emotional and uplifting. You don’t need to be sporty to take part. You don’t have to train, and you certainly don’t need to compete against anyone else. It’s a perfect example of everyday people doing an extraordinary thing – uniting in a common cause to beat cancer.”

Kirsti continued: “We encourage our participants to help raise money in whatever way they like – there are lots of ideas on the Race for Life website.”

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.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring series of 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.

This year, for the first time, Cancer Research UK is inviting everyone – women, men and children – to join the Race for Life.

To join Race for Life today visit raceforlife.orgor call 0300 123 0770.

 

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