Debbie Edwards is no stranger to a challenge. Registered blind, she lives with an incurable form of breast cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy.
Despite those health battles, the 36-year-old from Stockton in Teesside, won't let anything hold her back. Her latest feat will see her pull her trainers back on for the Great North Run.
Not only that, she’s also organising a 5k charity fun run with a stretch through the grounds of a local prison. Described by her friends as “positive, courageous and inspirational”, Debbie was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at 19.
The condition caused her sight to deteriorate to the point where she was registered blind. Just two years later she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer and given the devastating news that it was incurable.
“Naively I thought it would be a year of chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy and ringing the bell at treatment end,” she said. “Some six months of chemotherapy, three surgeries and 15 rounds of radiotherapy later, little did I know that this time there would be no bell, and I was looking at treatment for the foreseeable.
"But I’ve stopped counting the days and now focus on making the days count and living my best life. Yes I am stage four, but it’s only a number and cancer only a word, so why should I not live my best life?"
Debbie's mum, Sharan Sibley, recently celebrated five years all clear after beating breast cancer. Sadly she lost her father-in-law to lymphoma quite suddenly in 2016 and three years ago her two stepchildren also lost their mum to breast cancer.
But her positivity still shines through. For Debbie living her best life includes a return to running, spending time with granddaughter Ruby and appreciating the small things like getting up to take the dog for a walk.
“This is my new normal and cancer is just going to have to fit into my life,” she said in her blog Just Another Challenge which she uses to raise awareness and keep everyone informed about her treatment.
She'll be joined at the Great North Run by five friends - Kirsten Baines, Helen Johnston, Sandra Stabler, Sue Russell and Jill Abel - aka Debbie’s GNR Dollies, and her guide runner - husband Gary. In taking part she hopes to raise as much money as possible for the Trinity Holistic Centre at James Cook university Hospital in Middlesbrough.
Staff there have supported her throughout her cancer treatment, providing complementary therapies and a place where she can go to “feel a little bit normal and a little bit calm”.
The run next month will be a huge mountain to climb for Debbie as the chemotherapy leaves her feeling tired and also affects the skin on her feet. But with the support of Gary and her "dollies", she is determined to pace herself around the 13-mile course and make it happen.
Kathryn Almond, head of complementary therapy at Trinity Holistic Centre said: “We are all in awe of Debbie and her dollies - to tackle this challenge whilst going through cancer treatment is inspirational and means the world to us as a charity.
“It’s been a challenging few years financially due to the pandemic and so we are very grateful that in turn we can use the money raised to support the growing demand from other patients and families affected by cancer. We wish them all good luck for the day.”
The 5k takes place on September 1 at 6.30pm and the route is predominantly flat with a mix of trails and paths in and around the grounds of HMP Kirklevington Grange.
Debbie is encouraging as many people as possible to run it or walk it to help raise funds and also to raise awareness of the importance of regularly checking your body and getting checked out early if you have any concerns. She said: “Our aim is to raise £1,200 for the centre, but knowing how much they go above and beyond I would like to smash this target, so I’m reaching for the stars.”
People can register for the 5k here and donate here. Check out Debbie’s blog here.
