25-04-2025
Linwood mum urges Buddies to Race for Life as she shares moving cancer journey
A mum who was the inspiration behind a team taking part in Scotland's largest Race for Life event is now clear of cancer. Sharon Seery was recovering at home in Linwood after her third chemotherapy session last year when she received a video message which lifted her heart. Her friend Kate Bain and a 13-strong group from Shevlanes Pub in Springburn had just completed Race for Life Glasgow in Sharon's honour – raising more than £4,000 for Cancer Research UK. They called Sharon to let her know they were thinking of her. Now as the countdown is on before this year's Race for Life Glasgow, Sharon is encouraging people to visit and sign up. Every penny of the cash raised in the 3k and 5k events will help scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease – to bring about a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer. Sharon knows exactly how vital it is to raise funds for life-saving research. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2024 less than a year after her wedding day. Treatment included Herceptin, a drug which Cancer Research UK-funded scientists played a role in developing. Sharon, 53, said: 'I cried when I received the video message from Kate and team at Race for Life Glasgow last May. 'Cancer can feel like a lonely place. I had gone from swimming three times a week and always being outdoors to losing my hair due to the side effects of chemotherapy, feeling unwell and spending most of my time inside. 'Receiving that message and knowing there were people out there right behind me felt like a massive hug. It was kind and I felt honoured. It still makes me emotional just thinking about it. 'The last year has been hard but I'm grateful to the fantastic Shevie's showstoppers for picking me up when things felt tough.' Sharon's cancer diagnosis was completely unexpected. She had no symptoms when she was invited to a routine breast screening appointment early last year after receiving an invitation through the post. A few weeks later she was asked to attend the West Scotland Breast Screening Centre in Glasgow for more tests. She was later diagnosed with HER2 positive, ER-negative breast cancer. 'It was a major shock,' she said. 'I remember feeling completely numb. I saw my life flash in front of me, the special moments, my girls being born, my wedding day, family times, my joy when my first grandchild Edan arrived. I tried to look to the future but it felt dark.' Sharon says support from her husband Steven, 52, and her daughters Ashleigh, 30, and Bethanie, 27, kept her going through treatment. That has included eight rounds of chemotherapy, followed by surgery at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley and then a further 10 sessions of radiotherapy at the Beatson. She will continue to receive the drug Herceptin every three weeks. But she is in remission from cancer, recovering well and now enjoying spending time with her first granddaughter Aila Beth Seery-Hutchinson, who was born earlier this month. Sharon said: 'I've received excellent treatment which has basically saved my life. There are good days and not so good days. I'm beginning to feel better and starting to embrace the new me. I know there are good things ahead. 'Without all the people who get out there and raise money for research in to cancer then things may not have turned out this way. What a difference a year makes.' Cancer Research UK's Race for Life, in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life, is a series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research. The Glasgow event takes place on Sunday, May 18 at Glasgow Green. Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK's spokeswoman in Scotland, said: 'We are grateful to Sharon and all members of the incredible Shevie's Showstoppers team for supporting Race for Life. 'Sadly, nearly one in two 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. 'We'd love for as many people as possible across Scotland and beyond to join us at Race for Life. There is an event for everyone and we mean everyone. 'Our events are strictly non-competitive which means everyone can have a go- and love every minute. There's no pressure to finish in a certain time, just give it what you can. Lace up and join in. 'Whether people are living with cancer, taking part in honour of or in memory of a loved one with cancer, in it for the medals or just for the fun of fundraising, there is a place for everyone.' Since it began in 1994, more than 10 million people have taken part in Race for Life, contributing millions of pounds towards life-saving research. To sign up, log on to Don't miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – you can sign up to our free daily newsletter here
