Runners struck a blow against cancer yesterday as they pounded the streets of Aberdeen beach to raise funds for lifesaving research.
Almost 2,000 people took part in Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life at Kings Links.
It was also the first time men have joined the sea of pink with Aberdeen being chosen to host one of the first of the charity’s new family 5k events.
Sounding the horn to start the 5K women-only event at 11am was student Jessica Allan.
Addressing the crowd, the 21-year-old paid a moving tribute to her mum Jill Allan, who was just 49 when she died of kidney cancer last January.
Although Jill moved from Aberdeen to Houston with her oil worker husband Keith and their three children in 2009, she kept close ties with her hometown and her parents in Bucksburn.
She was also proud when Jessica returned to live in Aberdeen to study social work at Robert Gordon University.
Miss Allan said: “It’s been a really emotional day but I was honoured to be asked to help make Race For Life special.
“Cancer can devastate families – I know that better than anyone – and everyone knows someone who has experienced this awful disease.
“That’s why I think it’s so important that more effective treatments are found.
“By taking part in Race For Life, and returning sponsorship money, we can all make a difference and help scientists find better, kinder and more effective treatments for cancer.”
Although one in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives, the good news is more people are surviving the disease now than ever before.
The money raised at Race for Life Aberdeen will help Cancer Research UK scientists fund new ways to treat cancers and save more lives.
Race for Life event manager for Aberdeen, Frances Kippax-Geary, said: “Sadly, most of us know someone whose life has been touched by cancer.
“But thanks to the huge progress that has been made in the fight against the disease, more people in Scotland are surviving cancer than ever before.
“Our aim is that one day everyone will beat cancer.
“The more research we can fund, the sooner that day will come.”
