Get in step with GIllian and Barbara (From Penarth Times)

Get in step with GIllian and Barbara

TWO PENARTH survivors have appealed to people from the town to join them in a sponsored walk to help raise money for research into breast cancer.

Gillian Street, of Salisbury Close, and Barbara Wilkie, of Cwrt-y-Vil Road, will be taking part in the South Wales Stride for Life on Sunday, October 24 to help raise money for research into breast cancer.

The South Wales Stride for Life is a sponsored walk for the whole family and will take place at the beautiful venue, Margam Country Park in Port Talbot.

The event is open to individuals and teams alike and it is hoped that the people of South Wales will support the event and help to raise over £20,000.

Gillian, 66, discovered she had breast cancer just over a year ago in May 2003 and was recently given the 'all clear' after a mammogram in May this year.

Gillian said "I will have to take Tamoxifen for the next five years and it's with Cancer Research UK's involvement that this treatment is available to me.

"Cancer has had a huge impact on my life, and my daughter Ceri, who's 35. I did not realise that cancer was so widespread but now I live my life in a different frame of mind.

"I no longer worry about the unimportant things in life and have a much more positive outlook and regularly enjoy walking, swimming, music and the theatre".

Joining Gillian will be members of Trinity Methodist Church and among those will be Barbara Wilkie, aged 52.

Barbara was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2003 and since treatment at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, will have to undergo yearly mammograms.

"I am a survivor and proud of it," said Barbara. "Without the work of Cancer Research UK I believe that survival rates would be much lower.

"I have three daughters and three grandchildren and will be Striding Out to raise funds so that future generations will benefit from research as it will hopefully provide better prevention and a cure."

The South Wales Stride for Life is taking place on Sunday, October 24 at Margam Park, Port Talbot and registration fee is £6 adults and £3 under-16s.

For further details or to register for a fundraising pack call Kim on 08701 60 20 40, e-mail kim.jones@cancer.org.uk or visit the website www.cancerresearchuk.org/makingstrides