Latest news with #SarcomaUK
Edinburgh Reporter
23-05-2025
- Health
- Edinburgh Reporter
Doctor honours mother's memory with marathon for rare cancer research
When Roberta Garau's mother died from a rare cancer ten years ago, her daughter promised that she would help people like her in the future. Now Roberta, 31, is a doctor and will run the Edinburgh Marathon on Sunday in her memory. Her mother Valeria, living in Italy, had sudden symptoms of heavy bleeding and went to A&E. A growth in her uterus was found. Within a few weeks, she had been diagnosed with uterine leiomyosarcoma. Valeria – a researcher who analysed biological data – had an operation to remove the cancer, but it later spread to her lungs and, aged 60, she died in 2015. Roberta Garau Roberta was a student at the University of Aberdeen at the time. She said: 'My mum was an incredible woman – extremely intelligent, hard-working and fun to be around. 'I think about her every single day, and I miss all our conversations. I wish she could have seen the fruits of all her hard work parenting and been there for all my adult life milestones. ' I promised her I would do my best to help people like her in the future. I've since become a doctor, and I am training to be a surgeon with a special interest in cancer, and I am pursuing a PhD in cancer research.' Roberta, from Edinburgh, has just completed a year as President of the Association of Surgeons in Training. She is currently undertaking a PhD looking at colorectal carcinogenesis. Roberta Garau On Sunday, she will be taking part in her first ever marathon for charity Sarcoma UK. She said: 'I remember the difficulty when my mum was the only one with her rare subtype of sarcoma in our town in Italy. She did not have a community or a support network which could give her advice and support. Sarcoma research needs more funding and attention. 'I am fundraising for Sarcoma UK because it provides a community of people with a rare cancer and their family a lifeline for information, support and much-needed research funding.' Sarcoma UK's Ambassador in Scotland, Shelagh Alison, said: 'Dr Garau's dedication to sarcoma awareness represents exactly what we need – passionate individuals who understand both the medical challenges and personal impact of these rare cancers. 'Her journey from a daughter's promise to becoming a surgeon and researcher embodies the determination required to advance sarcoma understanding, support and treatment. 'Every stride she takes in the Edinburgh Marathon helps shine a light on these under-researched cancers and brings hope to patients and families currently facing the issues Valeria experienced. 'We're incredibly grateful for champions like Roberta who transform personal loss into powerful advocacy.' To donate to Roberta, go to Like this: Like Related
The Courier
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Dundee's Brian Cox among big names in Kirkcaldy festival programme launching this weekend
Succession star Brian Cox features alongside a host of local talent in a packed programme of Kirkcaldy events launching this weekend. Lang Toun Fest is Kirkcaldy's first arts and culture festival. And other big names taking part include Fife-born author Val McDermid, who is interviewing former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Hacienda DJ Graeme Park will also return to his roots for a special benefit gig in aid of Sarcoma UK. However, a host of community talent is also included in the five-week extravaganza. Lang Toun Fest kicks off on Friday May 30 with the Lang Toun Jazz Proms opening concert. It officially closes with Fife Pride on July 5. More than 125 events are already organised, with more being added. They include live music, literature, performance, yoga, comedy, food demonstrations, talks, walking tours and exhibitions. Thousands of printed programmes are now available at venues across Kirkcaldy. The idea for a community-based festival came from discussions among the Kirkcaldy Partners group, comprising individuals and groups from across the town. They share a passion to showcase all that's positive and creative about the Lang Toun. And they took the chance to build on existing initiatives such as the Adam Smith Festival of Ideas, Fife Pride and the Kirkcaldy Walking Festival. Plans are now under way to make the Lang Toun Fest an annual event. Love Oor Lang Toun development manager Ryan Strachan said: 'Lang Toun Fest 2025 is a celebration of arts, culture and local talent.' Full details on all the Lang Toun Fest events can be found at:
Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Gran sent from hospital with painkillers had 4.5kg tumour
Catriona underwent surgery, which involved the removal of her left kidney, but a year later, the cancer returned A grandmother who was initially sent home from hospital with painkillers during the Covid pandemic was diagnosed with a 4.5 kilo tumour. Catriona Tremlett, from Haslemere in Surrey, discovered she had a rare terminal cancer after her initial symptom was dismissed. Now the 80-year-old is set to abseil from a 170-metre landmark for charity to help others in her position. Catriona's health issues began when she experienced abdominal pain just after Christmas 2020. The pain was so severe that she had to go to A&E. She tested positive for coronavirus and was placed on a Covid ward for a few days before being sent home with painkillers. However, she then started vomiting and was soon back at A&E. It was then that she was diagnosed with retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma. This is a rare malignant tumour that develops from smooth muscle in the retroperitoneum, the space behind the abdominal lining. According to charity Sarcoma UK, there are an average of just 525 cases of leiomyosarcoma diagnosed every year in England. Surgery on her tumour took place in February 2021, which involved the removal of her left kidney. But a year later, the cancer returned. Catriona required radiotherapy and a second operation in summer 2022. Her ordeal still wasn't over as, in 2024, the cancer returned once more. This time, Catriona was told her illness was terminal and received chemotherapy as a last resort, not knowing if it would work. After two sessions, the signs were good and the treatment continued. Though the chemotherapy led to heart failure, her current condition remains stable. Catriona, who is married and has four children, two step-children and 14 grandchildren, said her family offered 'fantastic' support during her illness. 'The chemotherapy gave me a little more time,' she said. 'I arranged a big party with all my family and gave a farewell speech…but here I still am.' She added: 'I wasn't fighting cancer. I always accepted the fact I had cancer and made the best of it. There was no point in becoming angry.' Now, Catriona is fundraising for Sarcoma UK and is taking part in an abseil from the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, scheduled to take place on May 10. She said: 'I wanted to do something challenging like a skydive or a wing walk but I was told I couldn't because of the heart condition. Sarcoma is a rare cancer and Sarcoma UK is a small charity so I want to do something positive for them.' She has been given the all-clear for the abseil. But it won't be the first time she has taken part in such a challenge - 20 years ago she descended from the tower at Guildford Cathedral on a zip wire. Catriona is also no stranger to heights, and as a young woman she piloted light aircraft. Sarcoma UK's director of fundraising and communications, Kerry Reeves-Kneip, said: "Catriona's extraordinary courage and determination exemplify the spirit we see in so many affected by sarcoma. 'Her fundraising efforts for the Spinnaker Tower abseil are really inspiring, especially considering her own health challenges. Donations like hers are vital in helping us fund groundbreaking research into new treatments, so that future patients won't have to face the same difficult journey Catriona has experienced. We're incredibly grateful for her support and are cheering her on for this remarkable challenge." Symptoms of leiomyosarcoma can vary depending on the size and location of your tumour. You may experience all, some, or none of the symptoms below before you are diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma. A lump or swelling in the soft tissue of the body under the skin, often on the arm, leg, or trunk, that is: Increasing in size Is larger than 5cm Usually painful, but not always. For uterine leiomyosarcoma, symptoms may also include: Vaginal bleeding post-menopause Vaginal bleeding between periods Vaginal bleeding that feels unusual to you Pain around the pelvis or stomach.
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Gran, 80, with rare cancer to abseil from landmark
Gran, 80, with rare cancer to abseil from landmark 13 minutes ago Share Save Share Save Catriona Tremlett Former light aircraft pilot Catriona was diagnosed with retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma An 80-year-old grandmother undergoing treatment for a rare cancer is planning to abseil from a 170-metre high landmark for charity. Catriona Tremlett, from Haslemere, was diagnosed with retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma just after Christmas in 2020 and had her left kidney removed along with the 4.5kg tumour. Last year, she was given chemotherapy as a "last resort" after being told her illness was terminal and held a party to say goodbye to her husband, four children and 14 grandchildren. But the "daredevil" gran is now due to descend from the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth on Saturday to raise funds for the Sarcoma UK charity. "The chemotherapy gave me a little more time," she said. "I arranged a big party with all my family and gave a farewell speech... but here I still am." There is an average of 525 cases of leiomyosarcoma diagnosed every year in England. 'Extraordinary courage' Although the chemotherapy caused Catriona heart failure, her current condition remains stable. She added: "I wasn't fighting cancer. I always accepted the fact I had cancer and made the best of it. There was no point in becoming angry. "I wanted to do something challenging like a skydive or a wing walk but I was told I couldn't because of the heart condition. "Sarcoma is a rare cancer and Sarcoma UK is a small charity so I want to do something positive for them." It will not be her first challenge from a great height - 20 years ago she descended from the tower at Guildford Cathedral on a zip wire and as a young woman she piloted light aircraft. Sarcoma UK's director of fundraising and communications, Kerry Reeves-Kneip, praised Catriona's "extraordinary courage and determination". "Her fundraising efforts for the Spinnaker Tower abseil are really inspiring, especially considering her own health challenges," she added. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
BBC News
25-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
London Marathon: Wiltshire woman running after dad's rare cancer
A woman said she was inspired to run her first marathon by her dad's rare cancer Driver, who lives in Wylye near Salisbury in Wiltshire, will take on the London Marathon on Sunday to raise money for charity Sarcoma UK after her dad, Richard, was diagnosed with liposarcoma in Driver saw a doctor after complaining about back pain and bloating, and was found to have a "tumour the size of a rugby ball", his daughter said, which was subsequently removed. He is now cancer Stradling from Sarcoma UK urged anyone experiencing persistent pain, swelling or lumps to "seek medical advice promptly". According to the charity, sarcoma is a cancer that starts in the soft tissue, bones, or as a gastrointestinal stromal which retired IT consultant Mr Driver was diagnosed with after writing his symptoms off as a tennis injury, develops in fat cells."He had a tumour the size of a rugby ball which he had to have removed alongside several organs," Ms Driver, 32, father's surgery went well but his recovery was tough, as he was not able to eat or drink for six weeks. Mr Driver experienced vomiting and sepsis, which was caused by what was left of his pancreas and gallbladder leaking into his also had a heart attack, expected to be caused by the pressure his body was under, and one of his lungs started to shut he is cancer free, and his daughter is planning to raise money for Sarcoma UK by running the London Marathon on 27 April."It's such a rare cancer," Ms Driver said. "It's really hard to know the symptoms of it and I just wanted to do something that would raise a bit more awareness and hopefully a good amount of money to go to the charity."Ms Stradling urged anyone with persistent pain, swelling or lumps to seek medical advice "promptly"."These rare tumours can grow silently for years, and symptoms are often mistaken for everyday aches and pains," she said.
