Samantha Currie shares inspirational Mother's Day story as she get set to launch major charity fundraiser
Inspirational Samantha Currie reveals there will be tears of happiness and hope this Mother’s Day.
The mum of two who was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after her 40th birthday plans plenty of hugs at home in Stirlingshire on Sunday with her children Emma, 12, and Tom, two.
Samantha found out she had the disease on 14 October last year just the day before her best friend Kara Rollo’s wedding. But fearing she would ruin bride to be Kara’s big day, Samantha who was bridesmaid at the ceremony, kept the news a secret. The friends made up for lost time after the Perthshire wedding when Samantha finally shared the truth about her cancer treatment which lay ahead. And Kara 39, has supported Samantha every step of the way since.
Now Samantha has been chosen to launch Cancer Research UK’s much loved Race for Life events in Scotland this spring. She’ll stand on the start line as VIP starter at Scotland’s first Race for Life event in Stirling on Sunday, 8 May and sound the claxon to set participants off on the 5k and 10k courses to raise funds for life-saving research.
Samantha, 40, said: “My children mean the world to me and have kept a smile on my face even during the tough times.
“On the days I feel well enough to dance around the kitchen then we still do it. It’s important to still be mum. I’m blessed to have the best family and friends you could ever wish for. The day I discovered I had cancer, I knew that this was going to be in our lives for a very long time to come.
“I also knew that my best friend Kara was getting married in just a few hours time and I was the bridesmaid staying overnight with her on the eve of the wedding. She would only get one wedding day so I refused to let cancer overwhelm everything. This was her moment and I found the inner strength to put cancer away in a box for that one special day.
“When I look back at photos from the wedding day (below) I can see genuine happiness. People cry at weddings anyway so a few tears didn’t look out of place. There’s a sparkle in my eyes which may have faded a little during cancer treatment but with support from the amazing people in my life I know that sparkle will return.”
Samantha, who lives in Menstrie, Stirlingshire, knows exactly how vital it is to raise funds for life-saving research. Standing proudly with a sign showing her family’s personal motivations for supporting Cancer Research UK Race for Life, she’s hoping to encourage women and men of all ages and abilities to sign up at raceforlife.org.
Every year around 33,200 people are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland and one in two people in the UK born after 1960 will get cancer in their lifetime. Money raised at Race for Life enables scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer - helping to save more lives.
Samantha had her seventh and final chemotherapy treatment on March 9 and is now preparing for surgery to have the tumour removed. She will also need radiotherapy treatment this spring. She’s started a Facebook group where people check in to find out how treatment is going.
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is an inspiring 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.
Women, men and children across Scotland can choose from 3k, 5k and 10k events. There is also a chance to take part in Pretty Muddy, a mud-splattered obstacle course and there’s a Pretty Muddy Kids option. Scotland’s first Race for Life events of the year kick off in Stirling and South Queensferry on Sunday May 8, closely followed this spring by events across the country everywhere from Edinburgh to Irvine, Falkirk to Fife. Scotland’s biggest Race for Life event is on Sunday May 22 at Glasgow Green.
Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK spokeswoman in Scotland, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Samantha for her support.
“Sadly, cancer affects all of us in some way. Whether people are living with cancer, taking part in honour of or in memory of a loved one with cancer, or signing up to protect their own children’s future, everyone has a reason to Race for Life. So we’re asking people across Scotland: who will you race for?”
Race for Life events across the UK this year will follow current government guidance to protect against Covid-19.
To enter, visit raceforlife.org
