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Belfast Telegraph
25-05-2025
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
Race For Life: Two NI friends in cancer remission reveal their ‘singing lifeline' during Belfast event
Dawn Mackey and Avril Campbell were invited stars at this year's event held at Stormont on Sunday. The event, which supports Cancer Research UK, includes 3k, 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy challenges for adults and children, raising millions for cancer research each year. The pair, both in remission from breast cancer, sounded the starter horn to send around 2,000 participants off on the 3k and 5k courses during the morning. More than £200,000 was raised by the event, helping scientists develop new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. After serving as official starters, Dawn and Avril joined the 50-strong Rock Choir from Lisburn, led by Clare Galway, outside Stormont buildings to motivate race participants along the route. The friends say being part of the choir has helped them cope with their cancer journey. Dawn (60) from Craigavon was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2024 after a routine screening, despite having no symptoms. A retired district nurse, she said the screening service saved her life. Dawn has since had surgery, five radiotherapy sessions, and started taking tamoxifen—a drug proven effective by Cancer Research UK-funded research. Discussing her journey to remission, Dawn explained she is on a mission to 'raise awareness about early detection and screening.' 'When I was diagnosed with cancer I went into 'nurse mode' at first and tried to protect my loved ones. I stayed positive on the outside, but inside I was frightened,' she said. 'Thank goodness for screening, as without it I'd never have detected there was anything wrong. I'm well now, so it's important to me to do everything I can to raise awareness about early detection and screening. Dawn added that the support around her, including using music as an outlet, helped her cope. 'I had an amazing consultant, oncologist, breast nurse and radiotherapy team. 'My family supported me every step of the way while the choir gave me empathy — and most importantly laughter. Singing with the choir helped bring the joyous part of me back, and screening helped save my life.' 'It was a fantastic day at Race for Life Belfast, full of emotion, courage, tears, laughter and hope' Music has also helped Avril, 56, from Banbridge, who will mark nine years since finishing breast cancer treatment this September. She underwent surgery, 16 chemotherapy sessions, 23 radiotherapy sessions, and later started tamoxifen medication. The mum of three said each member of the Rock Choir is inspirational and she is 'proud to be a part of' it, adding that it is 'one of the happiest one and a half hours of my week.' 'Our leader Clare is inspirational as are the choir members. I'm proud to be part of it.' The choir performed hits including Don't Stop Me Now by Queen and Super Trouper by Abba. Earlier in the day, International United Ms United Kingdom beauty queen Anouska Black of Craigavon sounded the start horn for the 10k participants. Anouska, 35, said: 'It was an honour to open this year's Race for Life Belfast and I've loved cheering everyone on. 'Both my grandfathers sadly passed away with cancer and I know it's a disease that touches so many families. Thankfully, there are many more effective treatments out there today, making it possible for people to get through cancer but that's been made possible thanks to the generosity of people raising funds for life-saving research. That's why I'm in awe of every single person who crossed the finish line.' Speaking after the event, Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK's spokeswoman in Northern Ireland, commented: 'It was a fantastic day at Race for Life Belfast, 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.' She added: '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.'
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
North Macedonia, U.K. agree on boosting ties: PM
North Macedonia and Britain have agreed on a major partnership deal that would boost trade and investment between the two countries, North Macedonia's Prime Minister said on Saturday (May 17, 2025). British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his North Macedonian counterpart Hristijan Mickoski finalised the strategic partnership agreement, the first of its kind between Skopje and London, on the sidelines of a summit of European leaders in Tirana on Friday. "This partnership means much more than a bilateral engagement," Mr. Mickoski told a press conference in Skopje on Saturday. Serving as a base for a six-billion-euro ($6.7-billion) investment cycle, "it will enable the strongest possible economic cooperation... including capital investments, infrastructure, health and energy," he added. It also provides for cooperation in defence, fighting organised crime and human trafficking, education, healthcare, culture and youth policy, Mr. Mickoski said. Matthew Lawson, British ambassador to North Macedonia, a NATO member country that hopes to join the EU, hailed the deal as a "highlight in our bilateral relations... built on common values and membership in NATO as well as very rich trade connection". It will be formally signed in London next week, he said. In Tirana on Thursday, Mr. Starmer announced an expansion of the Joint Migration Taskforce in the Western Balkans, set up with Albania and Kosovo, to include North Macedonia and Montenegro. It would allow greater intelligence sharing to intercept smuggling gangs and deploy UK-funded drones to snare criminals funnelling migrants through the Western Balkans to Britain. On Saturday, when asked by reporters if, according to the deal, North Macedonia would take in migrants as some UK media speculated, the British ambassador said it was "not what the agreement was about". "It is a completely different story," Lawson said. The two countries agreed on a broad partnership in security, trade, defence, education, investment, he said. "It is about cooperation between the police, about dealing with criminal gangs and groups." For years, Britain has been among North Macedonia's three main trading partners. In 2024, total trade in goods services between the two countries amounted to $2.8 billion, official figures show.
San Francisco Chronicle
02-05-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Alert: Appeals Court says Prince Harry wasn't improperly denied UK-funded security detail after stepping down from royal duties
LONDON (AP) — Appeals Court says Prince Harry wasn't improperly denied UK-funded security detail after stepping down from royal duties.
See - Sada Elbalad
01-05-2025
- Health
- See - Sada Elbalad
UK Bolsters Medical Support to Gaza as Children Arrive in UK for Medical Care
Nada Mustafa Gazans are to receive extra UK-funded medical support to help address their dire humanitarian situation, Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer has today confirmed. This £7.5m package of support includes a £1 million allocation to the World Health Organization (WHO) Egypt to support the Egyptian government in delivering treatment to Gazans who have been medically evacuated. The funding will ensure vital medical supplies, such as rehabilitative equipment and medication, reach medically evacuated Gazans receiving treatment in Egypt. This builds on £1 million announced in October for similar support. Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer said: 'Gazans continue to face immense suffering, with a dire humanitarian crisis worsening and a healthcare system close to collapse. Israel must let them receive urgent healthcare, including allowing the sick and wounded to temporarily leave the Gaza Strip to receive treatment. 'We are committed to providing lifesaving support to Gaza and this support will ensure thousands of civilians have access to critical healthcare in the region. 'The UK continues to push for a return to a ceasefire and for negotiations to bring an end to the conflict, free the hostages and help secure long-term peace.' Dr. Nima Saad, WHO Representative to Egypt said: 'Egypt has received the highest number of medical evacuees from Gaza for specialized medical treatment. The Egyptian government is providing healthcare services to Palestinians on par with Egyptian citizens across 170 hospitals in 24 governorates around the country. We deeply value our longstanding partnership with the UK and welcome the additional funding of a £1 million to continue our efforts in supporting the Ministry of Health and Population to ensure that the patients and injured people from Gaza receive the lifesaving healthcare they need. Ultimately, the best medicine is peace. WHO reiterates its call for the protection of health care in Gaza, the lifting of the aid blockade and – above all – a ceasefire.' The UK will also provide £1.5m in additional funding for UK-Med to help sustain their field hospital operations. UK-Med staff deliver life and limb-saving healthcare and they have treated over 410,000 patients in Gaza since the start of the conflict. Alongside bolstering the UK's medical support for Gaza, Minister Falconer also announced additional funding for the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) Humanitarian Fund. £5m has gone towards UN-supported projects which are providing vital health and water, sanitation and hygiene services for civilians in Gaza, as well as food, protection and emergency shelter. This announcement comes as two children from Gaza have begun privately-funded medical treatment in the UK following an initiative led by the organisation Project Pure Hope which brings together clinicians and charity leaders to help children affected by the Middle East conflict. Project Pure Hope has funded the scheme in its entirety, while the UK government has provided support. British Ambassador to Egypt, Gareth Bayley said: 'Egypt has played a crucial role in helping those most in need from Gaza, and the UK is proud to stand alongside our Egyptian partners and the WHO in this life-saving work. Whether it's funding medical care in Egypt or supporting treatment for patients who have now arrived in the UK, our shared commitment is clear: to ensure the wounded and vulnerable get the care they urgently need.' The UK is committed to alleviating Palestinian suffering and helping to build stability and security in the Middle East. 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Daily Record
25-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
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
