A DORCHESTER woman who lost her brother to cancer just two weeks after he was diagnosed says he will be at the forefront of her mind when she leads four generations of her family at Race for Life.
Rosie Nippard from Dorchester and her father 87-year-old Brian Read from Powerstock near Bridport, who is a bowel cancer survivor, will complete the 5k route in her brother’s memory on May 14, at Baiter Park in Poole.
Giles Read, 56, who grew up in Powerstock, was diagnosed with advanced oesophageal cancer and passed away in March, leaving behind his wife, son and daughter.
Mrs Nippard, 50, said: "I’ve taken part in Race for Life for around 20 years but this year it’s all about my brother Giles.
"He had been suffering stomach pains and feeling full but put it down to Crohn’s disease and colitis that he was diagnosed with as a teenager.
"His GP referred him to A&E and sadly he was told he had oesophageal cancer which had spread to his liver.
"The speed at which it all happened has been a terrible shock but I’m thankful dad and I got to see him before he died.
"We’ll both be walking for him at Poole Race for Life and remembering my mum who beat breast cancer in her lifetime."
Also taking part will be Rosie’s husband Russell, his brother-in-law Malcolm Sturgess, 77, niece Tracey Malloch from Poole, her husband Andy and their son Calum, 11.
They are also aiming to complete the 5k route in memory of Malcolm’s wife, and Russell’s sister Angie Sturgess, who had also participated in the Race for Life before she died of cancer.
Every year around 5,500 people are diagnosed with cancer in Dorset and one in two people in the UK born after 1960 will get cancer in their lifetime.
Money raised at Race for Life enables scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer - helping to save more lives.
Elisa Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in the southwest, said: "It’s very moving as Rosie lost her brother Giles to cancer two weeks after he was diagnosed – they’ve not even had the funeral yet.
"Her dad Brian is also a bowel cancer survivor and will be walking for Giles too.
"We're incredibly grateful to Rosie and all her family for their support. Sadly, their lives have been touched by cancer in many ways.
"As the four generations of their family join together to Race for Life next month, they’ll be playing their part to fund research today and also help beat cancer for future generations."
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