A WHITEFIELD cancer survivor will be special guest at a flagship Race for Life event.

Carolyn Hall, aged 42, will set off the participants at Race for Life in Heaton Park run on Saturday July 12 before joining in the 5k event herself.

Mum-of-two Carolyn was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, when her daughter was just four-years-old.

She said: “It was a terrible shock when I was diagnosed with cancer - it was like being in a bad dream. I never thought it would happen to me.”

Carolyn had just celebrated her 40th birthday when she found a lump on her right breast.

After seeing her GP, she was referred for tests to North Manchester Hospital where Carolyn and her husband Stuart received the devastating news that she had breast cancer.

Just days later Carolyn, who has a son Charlie, aged 10 and daughter Lily, aged 6, underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, and then underwent chemotherapy treatment at The Christie.

Carolyn, who is currently recovering from further reconstructive surgery, runs her own business called Total Venues.

She said: “Having cancer was a massive thing to go through. I knew I had no choice but to fight it and I really think that the experience has made me a stronger person.”

Carolyn took part in Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in June 2012 — midway through her chemotherapy treatment.

She said: “I have taken part in Race for Life in the past — because my mum lost her life to the disease many years ago.”

She added: “Taking part in Race for Life is my way of hitting cancer where it hurts. I’m so grateful for the research that’s helped me and now I want to help others by supporting Cancer Research UK’s work.” On July 12, 5k and 10k Race for Life events will be held at the same time at Heaton Park. And on the following day, July 13, two more 5k events will be held at the same venue.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is a women-only series of 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy events which raises millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer sooner.

Carrie Murphy, Cancer Research UK’s Heaton Park Events Manager, said: “We’re calling on an army of feisty females to help us stop cancer in its tracks. To enter the Race for Lifecall 0845 6006050.