One of Scotland’s youngest breast cancer survivors is continuing to raise funds for charity, despite the postponement or cancellation of official events.
Rachel Coats from Broughty Ferry has set herself a challenge to walk on her local beach every day in aid of Cancer Research UK after the Dundee Race for Life in Camperdown Park on June 14 was delayed until August.
Rachel was just 26 when she was diagnosed and is still living with secondary breast cancer aged 32.
She has now helped Cancer Research UK launch its Race for Life at Home and has vowed to do her bit daily with her dog, Sheldon, for company.
“Like everyone, we’re having to adjust to a new sort of life during this lockdown,” she said.
“It’s a scary time but I think taking part in a Race for Life at Home is a great idea. It’s good to plan something positive and help people who are going through cancer right now.
“I know research is of fundamental importance to finding better treatments for cancer in the future so it’s vital this work continues.”
Rachel and her husband Adam, 28, were on holiday in Fuerteventura when the pandemic escalated but managed to fly home on March 14.
Rachel was first diagnosed at Ninewells Hospital in September 2013. Doctors explained she had a tumour in her left breast and the cancer had spread to her right hip and spine. She had radiotherapy and chemotherapy but it then spread to her brain and in 2017, two months before her wedding day, she had surgery to remove the tumour.
She now takes chemotherapy tablets daily and is monitored closely by doctors but remembers the fear she felt when she was diagnosed and is encouraging anyone suffering the illness to stay positive.
“Cancer was a terrible shock and it can feel very isolating, especially going through the disease at a young age,” she said.
“I’m lucky to have amazing friends and three sisters who have supported me every step of the way through cancer. They’re always on hand when I need a moan, cry or laugh.
“We’re sad we can’t all actually get together at the moment but we’re replacing girls’ nights out with girls’ nights in online instead. Positivity is key.”
Anyone can take part in Race for Life at Home by walking, running or doing something more creative in gardens or nearby green space or beach.
Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman for Scotland, said: “We are already getting people asking about doing Race for Life at Home because they don’t want to see the charity lose out on vital funding.
“They feel that the fight against cancer shouldn’t stop for anything – even coronavirus. “It’s truly humbling to see the response.
“From a run or walk around the garden to limbo in the living room, there is no wrong way to Race for Life at Home. The message is very much that while we might be apart, we’re doing this together.”
Ideas on how to Race for Life at Home are available at raceforlife.org
Meanwhile, Dundee University’s Women’s Football Club have launched their own running challenge for a national mental health charity.
During May, the girls will each run 93km – 3km per day – to raise funds for the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH).
The team have already raised almost £250, with 24 girls participating from across the UK, Spain and America.
Club captain Darcy Smith said: “A lot of the girls were bored and didn’t have much to do during the lockdown so I started this competition to keep people motivated.
“But we also wanted to raise money for SAMH in the process and we thought they would be under a lot of extra pressure right now.”
Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/duwfc
