Cancer survivor urges people to take on Weston Park mud run
A ‘third generation’ cancer survivor is urging women to bounce into action in the fight against cancer by signing up for mud run at the weekend.
Joanne Griffiths, 39, is the third generation of her family to survive breast cancer. Her cancer was only diagnosed because her mum, Gillian Griffiths, was worried about the family history and encouraged her to have a mammogram at the age of 36.
Joanne, who works as an assistant planner at Western Power in Telford, is kick starting the Pretty Muddy run at Weston Park on Saturday.
The mum-of-two as jumped onto a bright pink space hopper - one of the obstacles that women can tackle at Pretty Muddy - as she calls on women of all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities to sign up now
Joanne said: “Mum survived breast cancer herself, as did her mum, so we didn’t want to take any chances. Even so, it was still a huge shock when I was diagnosed. I was in training for the Weston Park Pretty Muddy in May 2015 at the time, but instead of taking part in the event I found myself booked in for surgery.
“I was gutted not to be running it, but I managed to get along and cheer my friends on. A week later I had a lumpectomy and my lymph nodes removed. My children, Brandon and Poppy, were aged five and eighteen months at the time, so it made life very difficult.”
Joanne then had chemotherapy and made the decision to have a double mastectomy to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.
“It was December by the time I had my double mastectomy, and on December 23 they gave me the news that no cancerous or pre-cancerous tissue had been removed during surgery – the chemo had done its job. It was the best Christmas present ever!”
Joanne’s treatment was completed with radiotherapy and hormone therapy. She is now clear of cancer and she and her family are undergoing genetic testing.
Joanne, who lives in Cannock, will be taking part in Weston Park Pretty Muddy with a team of mums called ‘The Three Musketeers’. Her mum and children will be cheering her on.
Joanne said: “I’m so excited it’s time for Pretty Muddy again! From bouncing around on a space hopper to clambering under cargo nets, it’s a fantastic challenge and I really feel I’m making a difference in the fight against cancer.”
Pretty Muddy is a women-only, non-competitive 5k and 10k obstacle course - with added mud.
From space hoppers and scramble nets to inflatable slides and hurdles, participants will face a range of muddy obstacles to crawl under, clamber over and charge through - all to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving research.
The Race for Life family of events also includes the traditional 5k and 10k courses, which thousands of women will take part in at locations across the Midlands this summer.
Jane Redman, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Shropshire, said: “We hope as many women as possible will join the fight at Pretty Muddy in Weston Park or any other of our Midlands events. We’re calling on local ladies to pull on their trainers and join like-minded women committed to the cause.
“Race for Life events are not competitive and women can complete the Pretty Muddy course at their own pace, climbing, jumping, walking and laughing their way around. Whether they plan to wade their way through the mud or make a big splash, every muddy step they take will help to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.”
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. Survival rates have doubled since the early 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress.
Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work relies on the public’s support. Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, the charity was able to spend over £9 million last year in the West Midlands on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research - helping more men, women and children survive.
Jane continued: “Pretty Muddy has all the fun and camaraderie of our much loved 5k and 10k events - but with an extra helping of mud, sweat and cheers. Our mud-splattered supporters give it their all and the atmosphere is electric as women of all shapes and sizes unite to beat cancer.
“Every day, around 85 people are diagnosed with cancer in the West Midlands. That’s why we’re calling on women to sign up right now. Money raised - whether it’s £10 or £100 - will help Cancer Research UK scientists find new ways to treat cancer and save more lives.”
To enter Race for Life Pretty Muddy go to raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.
