A mum-of-two diagnosed with cancer the day before her wedding anniversary is urging locals to sign up for Cancer Research UK’s Kirriemuir Relay for Life later this year.
Tracey Roberts will participate in the overnight event on August 12 and said she was glad to be able to return to the Kirrie show field for the fundraising festival and the survivors’ lap which heralds the relay start.
Her involvement will be tinged with the sad memory of losing her mother-in-law, Anne Roberts to stomach and liver cancer in September 2015, just days before Tracey herself was diagnosed with the disease.
The 41-year-old from Forfar said: “It’s a chance to celebrate life, to honour those who have survived cancer but also remember and pay tribute to those who have lost their lives to the disease.
“My heart was breaking but bursting with pride at the same time when I took part in the candle of hope ceremony at Relay for Life last year.
“I’m so proud to be part of a Relay for Life event which is one of the biggest in Scotland and I’m really glad to return to be part of it this year.
“I hope by sharing my story I’ll inspire others and I might even save lives. It’s vital to spread the word that no one should ever be embarrassed to visit their doctor.”
Tracey, who will be joined by her husband Graham, 51, and children Cali, 16, and Conor, 14, at Relay for Life recalled her shock when she was diagnosed with vulval cancer on September 7 2015, the day before her 14th wedding anniversary.
Tracey said: “I felt terrified when I was told I had cancer and I struggled to hold back the tears when I told my children.
“It was difficult to talk about it at first but now I feel that women need to speak up about gynaecological issues.
“There is so much awareness about breast cancer thanks to high profile campaigns. It’s time there was that same level of awareness about issues down below which are so often dismissed as just women’s issues.”
Tracey visited her GP with what she thought was a common infection but a gynaecologist subsequently ordered a biopsy and Tracey was told she had a pre-cancerous skin condition which could be treated with a steroid cream.
But later, cancer was diagnosed when Tracey returned to the doctor and she underwent surgery to remove a total of five lumps.
She now receives regular check-ups but is cancer free.
The organisers of the Kirrie event are hoping more teams of eight to 15 people will sign up for the August 12/13 fundraiser, with details available on Facebook at CRUK Relay for Life Kirriemuir.
