Chloe Roussel leads the way for fellow Race for Life entrants, left to right, Michelle and Hannah Le Page and Karen Winslade. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0570581)
AT the age of six, Chloe Roussel was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Now 11, the St Martin’s Primary School pupil will be taking part in her first Race for Life on Sunday 18 May.
Chloe won her battle against rhabdomyosarcoma, which affects the body’s connecting tissues, such as skeletal muscle. It is usually found in children aged between one and five and from 15 to 19.
Now she wants to support other victims. ‘I think it is going to be a hard run, but I am excited about taking part alongside 2,000 other women and girls,’ she said.
Chloe will be joined by her mum, Michelle Le Page, who has completed the race on two previous occasions.
‘The reason Chloe is taking part is that she was diagnosed with cancer when she was six and now that she is in remission and well enough to take part, we as a family will be there to support her,’ said the 29-year-old secretary.
‘Race for Life is always a very moving event and extremely worthwhile.’
Mrs Le Page will be joined by her aunt, who lost her husband to cancer.
Karen Winslade took part in the Race for Life just four weeks after losing her husband to bowel cancer in 2006.
‘Taking part is very important for me,’ said the Creaseys fashion buyer.
‘Not only is it a day to remember those we have lost to cancer but to celebrate the lives of those who have survived.
‘It really is quite moving when you read the messages on the runners’ backs,’ she said.
Mrs Winslade said she had been preparing for the race for some time.
‘I’ve been going to the gym every other day and those days that I haven’t, I have been doing a bit of road running.’
Mrs Winslade’s future daughter-in-law will also be taking part.
Hannah Le Page, 25, is a facilities assistant at the Guernsey Financial Services Commission and a first-timer when it comes to the all-woman event.
‘When I first came to see Karen taking part, I was sat in the stands and I thought, “I can do this”, because you can walk, jog or run it,’ she said.
‘I shall be getting in some training in the next few weeks and if I can do it, anyone can,’ she said.
There are 317 spaces still available for this year’s event, which starts at Foote’s Lane athletics track at 11am.
The target for 2008 is £107,000 and organisers are hoping to attract 2,000 women to the 5km race.
Organiser Carly Gibbs said Race for Life was a fantastic opportunity to raise money for Cancer Research UK, which continues to search for a cure.
‘Every penny counts towards the fantastic work that Cancer Research UK is doing to help us beat cancer,’ she said.
‘The event in Guernsey is always such a well-supported one and a special day for the 2,000 women who take part.’
* For more information, visit www.raceforlife.org.
Article posted on 28th April, 2008 - 1.00pm
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