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Race of Joy as cancer battler goes the distance

Michael Byrne
25/ 5/2004

A CHARITY fund-raiser who is facing her own fight for life, stayed the course in the Great Manchester Run.

Joy Whitworth, of Waingap Rise, Syke, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy at Christie Hospital.

But even though the second round of treatment was just a week before the race, which meant she was extremely prone to infection, she kept her promise to run for the GEM Appeal.

Running alongside Joy in the race was her old friend and GEM Appeal committee member, Wendy Mills, who kept an eye on her over the 10km course.

Joy, aged 47, said: "It was a hot day and the race was harder than I expected, so I'm glad its over."

"But being involved has done me the world of good as I've never been ill before and it gave me something to focus on."

"The treatment is going OK, although I feel sick and tired for the first few days after the chemotherapy. My hair is beginning to thin out as well, which I'm not very happy about."

"I was a bit disappointed with the time of one hour 15 minutes, but next year I will, hopefully, be back to full health and be able to run quicker."

Cash is still rolling in and she hopes to have raised about £1,000.

Her husband, Garry, who is also an appeal committee member, said: "Running in a race with hundreds of people when Joy was so prone to infection probably wasn't the best of ideas, but she was running with Wendy and they spurred each other on."

"We're all extremely proud of her and very relieved she finished the race."