Edinburgh mum given heart-breaking diagnosis just two months after 50th birthday
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An Edinburgh woman was diagnosed with breast cancer just two months after she celebrated her 50th birthday.
Gail Izat, an inspirational business leader, was guest of honour at Cancer Research UK's Race for Life, sounding the starter horn to send around 1,300 participants on the courses at Holyrood Park.
The Standard Life Managing Director was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2019. The disease then returned days before Christmas in 2022 and the mum-of-two is now in remission.
She has vowed to do whatever she can do to continue spreading awareness and give others more tomorrows with their loved ones.
Gail said: "I've had cancer twice but I've got through it twice thanks to life-saving science.
'When you've had cancer suddenly you realise you're not immortal and actually you have something that might kill you. At first having cancer felt like being admitted to a secret club I didn't want to belong to. I felt strongly that I didn't even want to talk to people about cancer until I found out more information about what I was actually facing, until I knew it was curable.
'But as time went on I started to believe I was going to get through the disease. And as I've recovered, I've found events like Race for Life offer a chance to meet people whose lives have also been touched by cancer. It offers a wonderful support and a sense of community.'
Gail was cheered on by her colleagues and more than £201,300 was raised at Race for Life - vital funds that will enable scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer
Linda Summerhayes, Cancer Research UK's spokeswoman in Scotland, said: 'We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in Race for Life Edinburgh.
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'No matter how cancer affects us, life is worth racing for. Sadly nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime** but all of us can support the research that will beat it. We're proud that Race for Life has had such a positive impact. Every pound raised supports our life-saving work, which has helped double cancer survival in the UK over the last 50 years.
'It was a fantastic day at Race for Life Edinburgh, full of emotion, courage, tears, laughter and hope as people celebrated the lives of those dear to them who have survived cancer and remembered loved ones lost to the disease.
'Now we're asking everyone who took part to return the money they're raised as soon as possible. Every donation, every pound raised will make a real difference. '
Andy Curran, Chief Executive of Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, said: 'We are incredibly proud to continue as headline sponsor for Cancer Research UK's Race for Life, with the opportunity to encourage participation across the country.
'By working to raise funds for life-saving research, we can move towards a future where people live longer and better lives, free from the fear of cancer.'
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