TODAY is the last chance to sign up for Race for Life and Terri-Leigh Slatter is urging women to opt-in and join her on the mission to help find a cure for cancer.

Oxford’s biggest fundraising event, Race for Life 2012, takes place in the University Parks on Sunday and will see about 6,000 women run, walk or jog 5km to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

In 2011, 6,318 women took part in Race for Life in Oxford and helped raise an incredible £360,870 for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work. This year the charity hopes to hit a fundraising target of more than £366,000.

Ms Slatter, 24, has experienced more than her fair share of cancer – two grandmothers, a grandfather, her mother and her father have battled with the disease – but it has only made the primary school teacher from Sutton Courtenay more determined to fight back by taking part in Race for Life.

She said: “In the summer of 2009 my mum Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent radiotherapy. She thankfully got the all clear in 2010 and has been clear since.

“This year my dad Trevor had a close encounter with the disease, but as it was caught early all the diseased cells were removed so no treatment was needed.

“My nan had stomach cancer and underwent chemotherapy and she fought so hard that she got the all-clear.

“But I also lost a nan and a grandad to cancer.”

Miss Slatter teaches at Culham Parochial Primary School and says her parents, who live in Drayton, are very proud that she is doing her bit in the fight against cancer.

She added: “I love the atmosphere of Race for Life and I’m really looking forward to this year’s event. It’ll be great to know that we are all there with a common cause.”

Becky Ryczowski, event manager for Race for Life in Oxford, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that so many women have entered Race for Life in Oxford. But we don’t want anyone to miss out.”

Enter at raceforlife.org or by calling 0871 641111.