Willenhall woman to tackle mud race to raise money for cancer charity in memory of her late auntie
A woman who lost her auntie to cancer is tackle a mud race to raise money for charity in her name.
Rebecca Overton, 27 from Willenhall, is taking on the 5k mud race with her team at Sandwell Valley on September 30. She wants to raise funds and awareness for Pancreatic Cancer Action in memory of her beloved auntie, Tina Miller, who passed away from the disease in October 2015.
Ms Miler worked as a maternity support worker at Walsall Manor Hospital, the same hospital in which she was diagnosed with pancreactic cancer and feeling 'off' and thinking she had indigestion. She was only 46 when she was told her life expectancy was just 12 months but agreed to try a trial chemotherapy treatment. After fighting for 18 months Ms Miller sadly passed away with her family by her side.
Speaking about her auntie and the diesease that took her life, Ms Overton said: "I had a really close and special relationship with my auntie and I know people talk about their loved ones with kind words and love but when I say my auntie was the most beautiful person inside and out she truly was a special person, everyone she crossed paths with she made a positive impact a warm smiley bubbly woman with the most infections laugh (cackle) that will never be forgotten.
“If I can make one person pick up on any of the signs and go to their GP it's worth the time. Spreading awareness of what pancreatic cancer is and what the signs and symptoms are could be all it takes for someone to have a chance at surviving.”
The charity she is raising money for, Pancreatic Cancer Action, is committed to working towards earlier diagnosis of the disease so that surgery, currently the only cure, is made available to the sufferer. The charity funds research into early diagnosis, providing medical education programmes, and launching awareness campaigns.
Ali Stunt, the founder of Pancreatic Cancer Action, said: “We are so thankful that Rebecca is giving her time to take on this challenge and support Pancreatic Cancer Action.
"We rely solely on donations from the public and thanks to people like Rebecca we can continue our vital work. Please back her in her fundraising efforts so that we can continue research into early diagnosis and raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.”
To sponsor Ms Overton, please visit her Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Rebecca-Overtonmommat
