An Ayrshire woman and her soldier partner speak out about why they won't take cancer lying down.
A Scots soldier whose girlfriend has beaten cancer twice is standing up to the disease in her name.
Paul McCann, 38, who is a colour sergeant with the Scots Guards posed with a placard declaring: “I’m standing up for Tracy” to show his support for his partner Tracy Kearman, 36, and back Stand Up To Cancer, a joint fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.
Stand Up To Cancer aims to raise money to fund vital research which will get new and better treatments to cancer patients faster and will culminate with an evening of special programming on Channel 4 on Friday, 9 October.
Now the couple are urging Scots to get behind the campaign and help raise money at work, school or at home.
The couple from Dreghorn, Ayrshire know only too well how crucial new developments and breakthroughs in treatment are in helping children and adults survive cancer.
Paul said: “I’m so grateful for the treatment that saved Tracy’s life twice.
“I’m standing up to Cancer because I love Tracy and I’m so proud of how she’s taken everything on. It’s thanks to Tracy that I really appreciate the power of research.”
Tracy, who is a nurse, was just 32 when diagnosed with cancer for the first time in January 2011.
She went to her GP for a check up after discovering a lump in her right breast and was referred to Crosshouse hospital in Kilmarnock.
Tracy recalls vividly the moment during an ultra sound when her fears grew that she had cancer.
She said: “The woman who was doing the ultrasound kept scanning the same spot.
“I just knew by the look on her face that something was wrong. I used to work as a nurse in an operating theatre so I remembered how it felt when you know something is wrong but you don’t want to be the one to tell the patient.
“I asked her straight. I said, you’ve found something haven’t you? She replied, sorry Tracy but I have.”
Every day was a fight between me and cancer but I was adamant cancer was not going to win
Tracy went through surgery to have the lump removed after doctors confirmed that she had stage-three breast cancer. Breaking the news to her parents, Norman and Grace Kearman, was one of the toughest tasks.
Her mum had successfully battled breast cancer after being diagnosed aged 40 so knew exactly the battle that lay ahead. Tracy endured chemotherapy until the summer then six weeks of radiotherapy.
It took a long time to build back up to full strength but going through cancer made Tracy re-evaluate what she wanted out of life and sadly her marriage broke up less than six months after treatment finished.
But her new single life changed forever when she started chatting on Facebook to Paul McCann, a soldier who had been her first love when they were both teenagers at Loudoun Academy, Galston.
When he returned from Afghanistan they met up for the first time since their schooldays.
Just before Christmas 2012, Tracy and Paul moved in together and life was good. That’s why it was a hammer blow in February this year when tests revealed Tracy had cervical cancer. She needed hysterectomy surgery to save her life.
Tracy said: “The doctor said: 'I’m not going to beat around the bush as you’ve been here before. You have cancer again'. Paul said we’re going to deal with this and everything is going to be fine. He’s been brilliant through it all. Every day was a fight between me and cancer. But right from the start I was adamant that cancer was not going to win.
“I’m clear of cancer again now and I know how precious life is. It’s been exhausting going through treatment for cancer twice but I’m alive and I could very easily not have been.”
Around three people are diagnosed with cancer every hour in Scotland. By joining Stand Up To Cancer, supporters across the country will be uniting with doctors, nurses, scientists and celebrities to generate funds, raise awareness and bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.
Launched in the UK in 2012, Stand Up to Cancer has already raised more than £23.8 million.
A free fundraising kitis available to help spark creative ideas and provide support.
People can also show their support for the campaign in style as a fun range of clothing and accessories for men, women, children, and even dogs, is available online and in Cancer Research UK shops.
