Norfolk & Suffolk: Race For Life
17 April 2012, 15:59 | Updated: 15 December 2017, 15:09
A Mum from Norfolk is taking part in this year's Race For Life for the sixth time after she - and both her parents - survived cancer.
Mum-of-two Liz Tarry hopes her story will inspire other mums, daughters, sisters, grandmas and friends, to raise money for research into all cancers by signing up for one of three events at Norfolk County Showground on the weekend of May 19-20.
There are also events taking place in Suffolk in Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich in June. Liz has been a regular participant in Race for Life since both her parents were diagnosed with cancer and survived. Her mother, Janet Craig, had lung and skin cancer, and her father, Alexander Craig (both from Necton) had thyroid cancer. However, in October 2009, Liz herself was diagnosed with breast cancer after noticing discharge from one of her nipples.
She had her breast removed in December 2009, followed by five months of chemotherapy. During her treatment, Liz took part in 2010's Norwich Race for Life in the pouring rain, with no hair. She managed to walk the 5k course alongside her twin daughters Alice and Hannah. In 2011 Liz, Alice and Hannah half walked and half ran the 10k Race for Life in Norwich. Cheered on by husband and dad Steve Tarry, the trio hope to improve on their time in the 10k and raise even more money for Cancer Research UK.
Liz, who is now back to work as a classroom assistant and lollipop lady at Fakenham junior school, said: "I always find Race for Life very emotional. It never fails to bring a lump to my throat when I read the signs on everyone's backs dedicated to the people who have survived and the people they have lost.
I was absolutely devastated when I was diagnosed with cancer. I feared the worst when I found it had spread. But, thanks to research, I am still here. My last scan was clear and my life is back to normal now. I am so grateful for the treatment that saved my life. Success stories like mine would not be possible without the work of Cancer Research UK, which in turn relies on everyone who raises money through Race for Life."
Cancer Research UK's Race for Life in partnership with Tesco is a women-only series of events, which raises millions of pounds every year for life-saving research into 200 types of cancer - helping men, women and children across Suffolk and Norfolk.
Race for Life is non-competitive. Women can choose whether to walk, jog or run the 5k or 10k route. Most are able to walk 5k in an hour and all women are welcome, regardless of whether they are taking part on their own or as part of a group.
You can enter Race for Life 5k or 10k at www.raceforlife.org or call 0871 641 1111 Race for Life events in East Anglia:
Norwich,Norfolk Showground - Saturday 19 May 10am (10k) and 2pm
- Sunday 20 May 11am
Ipswich, Chantry Park - Sunday 17 June 11am
Bury St Edmunds, Nowton Park - Sunday 24 June 11am & 2.30pm
Liz Tarry Speaks To Heart's Holly Jones