Heather Duff survived cancer and now she is taking part in the first ever 10K Cancer Research UK Snowflake Run which will be held next month in the capital.
So swap your slippers for your trainers by joining her in the exciting new winter event!
The 10k Cancer Research UK Snowflake Run will take place in Edinburgh on 21 February and Heather is calling on men and women of all abilities to join her.
The unique new event is part of the Cancer Research UK Winter Run Series. It encourages people to keep running throughout the winter by taking on a 10k challenge, whilst raising money for research to help beat 200 types of cancer.
© Lesley Martin 2015
Participants can expect Holyrood Park to be transformed into a winter wonderland featuring falling snow and hugs from friendly ‘polar bears’ on the finish line, providing an added incentive to conquer the cold for Cancer Research UK.
Heather, aged 29, of Winchburgh, West Lothian, hopes as many people as possible across Scotland will embrace the new challenge and help to raise vital funds for life-saving research.
For determined Heather, the Snowflake Run is very much part of her recovery from cervical cancer. She was given the news her cancer was in remission in August 2014.
Since then, Heather has set herself the challenge of 30 things to do before she turns 30-years-old in July. In addition, the sports community inclusion officer with Edinburgh Leisure, also intends to try 30 new sports.
Along the way, Heather has ticked off getting married to her partner Gordon. She has also met a celebrity – comedian Adam Hills sang ‘Happy Cancerversary’ to the tune of Happy Birthday in front of a large audience on the anniversary that Heather was diagnosed with cancer.
Heather has also bagged a Munro, dived from a 10m board at the Commonwealth Pool become and home owner and watched a sunrise and sunset in the same spot, as well as got a tattoo with her mum.
In the coming months, Heather also intends to ride a motorbike, learn to juggle, throw an axe in Canada and run a marathon. The Snowflake Run is part of Heather’s London Marathon training schedule.
Heather, who was diagnosed with cancer in April 2014, said: “Taking part in the Snowflake Run is an important part of celebrating my recovery and I’m looking forward to being part of such a fun event.
“The cold won’t put me off because I know the money I’m raising is helping to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured. That’s what will keep me going come rain, shine or blizzard.
“From being diagnosed with cancer to being treated took just four months. But in that time my whole life changed.
“I wanted my list to be a celebration of life, a celebration of everything that’s to come. I’m just so grateful to all my family and friends who got me through this. I didn’t have to attend one appointment alone, someone was always there for me.
“Now I want to make the most of every minute which is why I have set myself these challenges.
“As I am still recovering from cancer treatment, my body can be a bit unpredictable and so I am having to take my marathon training cautiously. But it’s brilliant going out and about, especially with my dog Parsnip who was a present from my husband Gordon when I was diagnosed with cancer.”
It’s really important to me to raise awareness of this awful disease. I’m under 30, I’m fit, I watch what I eat and I exercise, I’m a non-smoker and I don’t drink much. If I can get cancer, anyone can. We need to keep fighting back and the only way we’ll do that is by raising money so that Cancer Research UK can keep working to find a cure.”
For those looking to get fitter in 2016, the Snowflake Run is the perfect New Year challenge. Taking on the event could also provide seasoned runners with the motivation to banish the winter blues and keep training during the cold weather – all in aid of a good cause.
Linda Summerhayes, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in Scotland, said: “We’re so excited that the Snowflake Run is taking place in Edinburgh for the first time and hope to see an avalanche of support for this unique new event.
“Every day, around 85 people in Scotland are diagnosed with cancer*, so we need as many people as possible to sign up.
“Now that the clocks have gone back, it’s all too tempting to put the exercise regime on ice and hibernate until spring.
“But cancer never sleeps, so we need people to sign up now to brave the elements for Cancer Research UK. They will be able to bask in the knowledge that they’re raising vital funds for research, which is helping more men, women and children and across the UK survive.”
Organisers hope around 1,300 people will enter the Edinburgh Snowflake Run and raise around £120,000 for vital research.
Cancer survival rates have doubled since the 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress. But more funds and more supporters are needed to help beat cancer sooner.
Linda Summerhayes continued: “Sadly, most of us know someone whose life has been touched by cancer. One in two of us in the UK will be diagnosed with the disease at some point in our lives. And that’s why we urgently need people to enter the Edinburgh Snowflake Run.
“Our aim is that one day everyone will beat cancer. The more research we fund, the sooner that day will come.”
Cancer Research UK spent nearly £31 million in Scotland last year, on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research.
To enter the Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Snowflake Run visit snowflakeseries.co.uk
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
