A JOURNALIST who survived cancer is making a stand against the disease.
Natalie Jones, of Buckley, wants every woman across the area to join her in running in this year’s Race for Life events.
She is issuing the rallying cry ‘Cancer, we’re coming to get you’ as she urges mums, daughters, sisters and friends to take part in events in Wrexham, Chester and Rhyl in June.
Natalie, 28, who will be taking part in the event in Wrexham, said: “It was a terrible shock when I was diagnosed with cancer.
“You hear how people say they can hear the words but they don’t register – that is exactly how it happens.
“I was told that the doctors had found a small cluster of cancer in November 2010.
“A routine smear in the August had discovered abnormal cells. I was taken in and had them removed – I thought that was it, but weeks later I was called back in.
“That was when I was given the news.”
The cancer was found inside the neck of the cervix which is very rare, so Natalie, a former chief reporter with the Leader’s sister paper the Denbighshire Free Press, was operated on immediately.
“An anxious few weeks followed,” said Natalie. “Finally, days before Christmas Eve, I was given the all clear, they had caught the cancer early and in time before it had spread.
“I cannot thank the staff enough and also stress how important these routine smears are – they saved my life.
“I am here to tell the tale and I am now a proud mummy of a little boy, Niall, who is almost one.”
She added: “Taking part in Race for Life is my way of fighting back against cancer.
“I’m so grateful for the research that has helped me and now I want to help others by supporting Cancer Research UK’s work.”
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, staged in partnership with Tesco, is a women-only series of events helping raise millions of pounds every year to help defeat cancer by funding life-saving research.
Laura Taylor, Cancer Research UK’s north west events manager, said: “Come on ladies, please join Natalie and play your part by entering Race for Life in North Wales today.
“Together we can hit cancer where it hurts.
“There are over 200 cancers and we won’t give up until we find cures for them all.”
To enter Race for Life today, go to www.raceforlife.org or call 0845 6006050.