Latest news with #RaceForLife
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
'Losing 12 stone changed my life', says Lincoln woman
A woman from Lincoln who lost more than 12 stone (76kg) in a year without using weight loss drugs is setting up her own slimming club to help Hyde, 30, previously weighed around 22 stone (139kg) but after starting a diet last April lost a total of 12 stone and 9lbs (about 80kg).She said her success was down to "filling up on fresh foods rather than takeaways" and increasing the amount of exercise she did."There were definitely tough times, but I've had a hell of a lot of support around me, which keeps you motivated," she added. Ms Hyde, who turned 30 in October, said she was motivated to do something about her weight after being diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) - which she said meant she may never be able to have her own she said in order to get any support she would need to have a healthy body mass index (BMI).She told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "I thought I need to get cracked on - I'm turning 30 and I've got these issues." Prior to losing weight, Ms Hyde, who works as a head chef, said she would not leave the house very often and would avoid looking in mirrors."I would hide away," she said."Nowadays, I'm walking out the door with a smile - enjoying getting dressed in the morning - going shopping," she added."It's been a life-changer for me."Ms Hyde said she could now enjoy horse riding again and taking part in events, including Race for said she now wanted to help others in a similar situation and has set up her own Slimming World group at the Moorland Park Methodist Church in Lincoln, with the first session taking place on 24 June."If I can help at least one person then it will be worth it," she added. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Telegraph
20-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Davina McCall: My brain tumour was the best thing that's ever happened to me
Davina McCall has said her brain tumour is 'the greatest thing' that has ever happened to her. The former Big Brother presenter, 57, revealed that at the time of her diagnosis, she told Michael Douglas, her partner, that if she recovered, the diagnosis would force her to question everything. McCall told Women's Health UK: 'When I got this brain tumour, I said to Michael: 'If I make it, this will be the greatest thing that's ever happened to me.' 'Because of the learnings, yes – and because of the places I've had to go to deal with it ... I'm sort of going through a slightly mind-blowing phase of my life where I'm just asking questions about everything.' She added: 'I keep thinking: I've survived this thing, but I don't know how that happened or why it happened.' The TV presenter, also known for The Masked Singer and My Mum, Your Dad, found out about her colloid cyst after she was offered a health check-up as part of her menopause advocacy work. She underwent surgery in November last year to remove the mass and had to spend time in intensive care following the procedure. However, McCall was quick to update fans through her social media that she was 'on the mend' and feeling 'really lucky in my life'. Speaking about her recovery after the operation, the TV star described it as 'mega' and explained that every achievement 'felt like a massive win'. McCall said: 'The whole start back into life again after the operation was amazing – mega. 'And [in the midst of] that feeling of anxiety and institutionalisation – of your house being the only safe place, of forgetting how to function in a normal way – everything felt like a massive win.' She credited exercise with helping her recover, saying it was 'the last bit of joy' to come back into her life after her short-term memory started to come back. The presenter, who has been a long-time advocate for women's health, added that the biggest challenge for her was 'letting go' of control. 'I think letting go is probably my toughest kind of journey,' she said. 'It's something that I struggle with so much and I think it's because, since [I was] a little girl, controlling things or making sure everything is just so has made me feel safe.' According to the NHS, non-cancerous brain tumours are more common in people over the age of 50 and symptoms include headaches, blackouts and behavioural changes. McCall has been influential in advocating for greater awareness of issues connected to contraception and the menopause for women. Recent years have seen a surge in women turning to hormone therapy, with many crediting the 'Davina effect' after McCall made a series of documentaries about her own experience of the menopause. She has also raised money for Cancer Research UK by running the Race For Life in honour of her sister Caroline Baday, who died from lung cancer in 2012 at the age of 50. McCall's full interview is available in the June issue of Women's Health UK, on sale now.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Cancer turns lives upside down': Mum and daughter reveal they both battled cancer
A mum and daughter duo who have each beaten cancer are now taking part in Glasgow's Race for Life this weekend. Lorraine Taylor, 64, and her daughter Michelle Harris, 38, will take part in the fundraising event for cancer research in Glasgow Green on May 18. Michelle, a teacher of complex needs, was diagnosed with skin cancer in November 2019. Read more: Race for Life to return to Glasgow - what you need to know Michelle said: "Cancer turns lives upside down, steals precious moments and affects far too many of us. "For me, it's personal as both my mum and I have faced it. "Mum and I have always been close. "We talk almost every day and plan weekends away together. "Mum was an amazing support for me when I was diagnosed and when mum faced cancer, I was right there for her. "Taking part in Race for Life is not just about the miles. "It's about giving back to a cause that has given our family and so many others hope. "Research means more people are getting through cancer. "We're proud to support that, to cross the finish line in honour of those going through cancer right now and also in memory of some friends and colleagues we have sadly lost to cancer." Michelle had day surgery on November 30, 2019, to remove the mole as well as lymph nodes from under her arms. She recovered well and no further treatment is now needed, though she still has regular check-ups on other areas of her body where there are moles. Lorraine was diagnosed with cancer just 16 months after Michelle's diagnosis. She had no symptoms when she attended a routine breast screening appointment in March 2021 and was diagnosed with breast cancer. Lorraine said: "I remember coming out of the appointment and feeling shell-shocked as I called my daughter Michelle to give her the news. "It was stressful at the time but in a way, I actually felt lucky as screening meant they had caught the cancer early. "Michelle was a great support to me." Lorraine was scheduled for surgery in April 2021 but it was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. She eventually had the surgery that June followed by eight sessions of radiotherapy at the Lanarkshire Beatson in Airdrie. After overcoming their cancer ordeal, the pair are determined to complete the 10k and are encouraging others to join them. They will be joined by Michelle's daughter Abby Harris, 17, and her pet dog Maze. Michelle and Lorraine on a family holiday (Image: Supplied) Read more: Cambuslang woman to trek Himalayas for charity Abby said: 'My mum and my gran are both amazing, strong women and I'll be proud to be by their side at Race for Life Glasgow.' Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK's spokeswoman in Scotland, said: "We are grateful to Michelle, Lorraine and Abby for their support and know their family story will make an impact on everyone who hears it. 'We'd love for as many people as possible across Scotland and beyond to join us at Race for Life."
Glasgow Times
17-05-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Broadcaster Jo Wilson celebrates two years cancer-free with Race for Life
Sky Sports presenter Jo Wilson, 40, was diagnosed with stage three cervical cancer in 2022. She underwent treatment after the diagnosis and was declared cancer free in May 2023. This year, she is taking part in a Race for Life event in her home country of Scotland. She said she is 'super-excited' to join the race, which takes place in Glasgow on Sunday. In a video message posted on Instagram, Wilson said she was about to set off for one of her last training sessions before the race. Jo Wilson underwent lifesaving treatment for stage three cervical cancer (Ian West/PA) She said: 'I am super-excited to be doing the Race for Life up in Scotland this year with ScottishPower, their partnership's in its 13th year now, and that partnership has raised over £40 million, which is just incredible. 'I am so pleased to get involved again, particularly because I'm now celebrating being two years cancer free. 'I got that news earlier this month, and it just feels like such a massive milestone to reach. 'I did the Race For Life last year in Regent's Park, London, and it was incredible. It was such a great event. 'I live in London but Scotland is my home, so it's brilliant to go back up to Scotland to take part in the Glasgow Race For Life. It's the biggest of all the events.' Wilson, who has been a presenter for Sky Sports News since 2015, previously told how she had been for a smear test in June 2022, with further tests confirming the following month that she had cervical cancer, which had spread to two of her lymph nodes. She said: 'I don't think you ever expect to be diagnosed with cancer, as much as we hear the stats that it affects one in two people, but you just don't think you're going to be one out of the two. 'It was a massive shock, I was terrified. 'I'd just had a little girl, which made it so much worse. The first thing I asked was 'am I going to die?', because I didn't want her to be without a mother.' Now she has hit the two-year mark, Wilson is grateful to be back at full health, but said recovery was no easy feat. 'A lot of people talk about treatment and how ill it makes you, but the recovery took me about a year to feel fit again and less tired,' she said. 'I would say now I feel much more like my old self. There are side-effects that I'll be dealing with for life however, such as early menopause. 'I'm a 40-year-old woman, so I'm feeling that much sooner than I should have done, but I'm getting back into fitness, I'm back at the gym and I'm playing a lot of padel.' She says she will undergo an annual check-up each year, and while she is glad to have recovered, she worries the cancer may eventually return. She said: 'I think as the years go on, something I'm living with is this fear of it coming back, and I think that anxiety will always be there, and for my family as well. 'I'll sometimes get a little niggle and immediately start thinking the worst, so that anxiety is there as the years go on, but each milestone I reach being cancer free I feel that anxiety will continue to get a little less.' The presenter encouraged others to get involved with the Race for Life event in Glasgow. She said: 'If you haven't done one before, if you haven't watched one before, they really are just an event like no other. 'Everyone comes together, whether you're celebrating your own milestone, your own cancer journey, whether you're supporting a loved one going through cancer, whether you're remembering a loved one that we've lost to cancer, or just simply supporting and raising awareness for what is a great cause. 'It's honestly one of the most joyful and uplifting experiences, such a sense of community, everyone coming together for the same reason, and I'm really excited to experience it all in Glasgow on Sunday.' Anyone interested in signing up for the event can do so on Cancer Research UK's website.
South Wales Guardian
16-05-2025
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
Broadcaster Jo Wilson celebrates two years cancer-free with Race for Life
Sky Sports presenter Jo Wilson, 40, was diagnosed with stage three cervical cancer in 2022. She underwent treatment after the diagnosis and was declared cancer free in May 2023. This year, she is taking part in a Race for Life event in her home country of Scotland. She said she is 'super-excited' to join the race, which takes place in Glasgow on Sunday. In a video message posted on Instagram, Wilson said she was about to set off for one of her last training sessions before the race. She said: 'I am super-excited to be doing the Race for Life up in Scotland this year with ScottishPower, their partnership's in its 13th year now, and that partnership has raised over £40 million, which is just incredible. 'I am so pleased to get involved again, particularly because I'm now celebrating being two years cancer free. 'I got that news earlier this month, and it just feels like such a massive milestone to reach. 'I did the Race For Life last year in Regent's Park, London, and it was incredible. It was such a great event. 'I live in London but Scotland is my home, so it's brilliant to go back up to Scotland to take part in the Glasgow Race For Life. It's the biggest of all the events.' Wilson, who has been a presenter for Sky Sports News since 2015, previously told how she had been for a smear test in June 2022, with further tests confirming the following month that she had cervical cancer, which had spread to two of her lymph nodes. She said: 'I don't think you ever expect to be diagnosed with cancer, as much as we hear the stats that it affects one in two people, but you just don't think you're going to be one out of the two. 'It was a massive shock, I was terrified. 'I'd just had a little girl, which made it so much worse. The first thing I asked was 'am I going to die?', because I didn't want her to be without a mother.' Now she has hit the two-year mark, Wilson is grateful to be back at full health, but said recovery was no easy feat. 'A lot of people talk about treatment and how ill it makes you, but the recovery took me about a year to feel fit again and less tired,' she said. 'I would say now I feel much more like my old self. There are side-effects that I'll be dealing with for life however, such as early menopause. 'I'm a 40-year-old woman, so I'm feeling that much sooner than I should have done, but I'm getting back into fitness, I'm back at the gym and I'm playing a lot of padel.' She says she will undergo an annual check-up each year, and while she is glad to have recovered, she worries the cancer may eventually return. She said: 'I think as the years go on, something I'm living with is this fear of it coming back, and I think that anxiety will always be there, and for my family as well. 'I'll sometimes get a little niggle and immediately start thinking the worst, so that anxiety is there as the years go on, but each milestone I reach being cancer free I feel that anxiety will continue to get a little less.' The presenter encouraged others to get involved with the Race for Life event in Glasgow. She said: 'If you haven't done one before, if you haven't watched one before, they really are just an event like no other. 'Everyone comes together, whether you're celebrating your own milestone, your own cancer journey, whether you're supporting a loved one going through cancer, whether you're remembering a loved one that we've lost to cancer, or just simply supporting and raising awareness for what is a great cause. 'It's honestly one of the most joyful and uplifting experiences, such a sense of community, everyone coming together for the same reason, and I'm really excited to experience it all in Glasgow on Sunday.' Anyone interested in signing up for the event can do so on Cancer Research UK's website.
