RACE for Life competitor Jane Winter has described her reasons for joining thousands of other women in the fundraising event.

Five years ago the mother-of-two from Shillingford felt her “world stand still” when doctors told her she had a severe grade three tumour in her breast.

She had two small daughters but no guarantees she would see them grow up.

Mrs Winter, 50, went on to become one of the first women in Oxfordshire to use the cancer ‘wonder drug’ Herceptin, developed because of Cancer Research UK, thanks to funding from Race for Life.

“I’ve been cancer free for five years now,” said Mrs Winter.

“Every day I think how lucky I am to be here. Taking part in Race for Life, for me, is a way of saying a huge thank you.

“Without this and other fundraising there wouldn’t be the money to develop new treatments and drugs like Herceptin.”

Following her diagnosis, Mrs Winter embarked on a gruelling programme of chemotherapy to shrink her tumour, then had a mastectomy, followed by radiotherapy.

“There were some terrible, dark times,” she said.

“I remember watching the television one night with my youngest Louise and someone on the programme died of cancer.

She turned to me and said, ‘Mummies don’t die of breast cancer do they?'

“I had to say: ‘A lot don’t, but some do’.”

After radiotherapy, Mrs Winter began treatment with the then unlicensed cancer drug Herceptin.

Cancer Research UK’s crucial lab work was behind the development of Herceptin.

Mrs Winter said: “I’d read about Herceptin and asked whether I could use it.

“My oncologist said it would be appropriate as a ‘belt and braces’ move, but explained it wasn’t yet licensed.

“My job is in clinical research so I knew it was having good results. But I probably would have tried anything if it meant more time with my girls.”

Mrs Winter now fundraises through Race for Life and her own charity event, the annual Blackberry Walk, which has, to date, raised over £10,000.

  • STAFF at a Bicester school plan to run and walk in this weekend’s Race for Life.

The team of more than 20 from Southwold Primary School will don bright pink T-shirts for the sponsored event.

Acting headteacher Gemma Penny said: “Staff wanted to show their support for the many people they know who have had cancer or are currently receiving treatment, by doing something really positive, having a bit of fun and raising money for such a fantastic charity.

“They are hoping to raise as much money as possible.”

Children at the school are also doing their bit with a hula-hoop challenge.

The team has a target of £750.

To sponsor the women visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/SouthwoldPrimarySchool

  • RACE for Life takes place at the University Parks, Oxford, this weekend.

On Saturday there will be two 5k races, with a third taking place on Sunday morning. In 2009, 5,000 women took part in Race for Life in Oxford and helped raise £344,364 for Cancer Research UK’s lifesaving work. This year, Cancer Research UK hopes that 7,500 women will hit a fundraising target of £470,000.

For information, including how to enter, visit raceforlife.org/choose-your-event/oxford--05-jun-10-1430.aspx