A INSPIRING Bromsgrove cancer survivor who refused to be beaten is calling on Worcestershire women to join her for her ninth Race for Life.
Lorrayne Edwards, 57, who is now living her life to the fullest, has issued the rallying call: ‘Cancer, we’re coming to get you’.
This year’s organisers are hoping to get 3,400 women involved to help beat last year’s grand total of £163,750 and Lorrayne is determined to help them get there.
After being diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2005 Lorrayne has made a point of giving back to those who helped her through her treatment every year since.
Lorrayne, who was a senior banker but now carries out clothing repairs and alterations from her home, said: “It was a terrible shock when I was told I had cancer.
“It was like a steamroller came around the corner and knocked me over because you don’t expect this to happen to you.
“I found a lump on my left breast but didn’t think too much about it for a couple of weeks.
“But, I mentioned it to my PA at the bank where I worked and she made me phone my doctor before marching me off to the surgery – she physically made me go and also came with me.
“The whole thing only took about a fortnight, between going to the doctors and having it confirmed, but it felt like two years.”
Lorrayne was diagnosed with breast cancer which had spread into her lymph nodes.
She underwent a lumpectomy, but then needed a wider excision to remove more tissue, followed by months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
She now undergoes annual mammograms and ultrasound checks.
She added: “I am a very positive person and I wasn’t going to let this get me down.
“I had no qualms about who knew what had happened to me and I felt as though I wanted to give something back by raising money for Cancer Research because everyone I came into contact with was very kind and I had really good treatment.
“Taking part in Race for Life is my way of hitting cancer where it hurts.
“I’m so grateful for the research that has helped me and now I want to help others by supporting Cancer Research UK’s work.”
Lorrayne said her diagnosis also led her to draw on her A-level needlework skills to set up Lorrayne Edwards Sewing Services.
She said the cancer made her look at things a lot differently and made things more clear.
“Now, I work varied hours most week days and I love it to bits.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/LorrayneEdwards to sponsor Lorrayne or go to www.raceforlife.org to enter a Race for Life.
