A Glasgow mum diagnosed with skin cancer while expecting her first child launched Scotland’s biggest Race for Life today.
Andrea Lambrou was chosen as VIP starter to sound the horn at Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life Glasgow on Sunday morning.
Andrea of Newlands, was 36 weeks pregnant with her son Leo in July 2020, when doctors gave her the shock news that she had malignant melanoma.
Overnight, what had been one of the happiest times in Andrea and her husband Nicos Lambrou’s life, transformed into an anxiety-filled series of hospital appointments and treatment. Their son Leo was born on July 24, weighing 7lb 2oz.
Andrea, 39, said: “As I prepared to become a mum for the first time I was given the terrifying news that I had skin cancer. There was trauma and there were tears.
"I’ll never know why or how this happened to me and 2020 will forever be the toughest year of my life. But I count myself lucky; I was so far on in my pregnancy that it was possible for my son Leo to be delivered safely and he was healthy.
"I was able to get the treatment I needed. I’m eternally grateful that as a new mum I swiftly received every scan, test, surgery and treatment when our incredible NHS was stretched to the limit fighting COVID-19."
After three major surgeries in the first six months of motherhood and a year and a half immunotherapy treatment, Andrea's scan showed clear.
She added: "I showed clear scans and I continue to do so. And the positivity just shines from our little Leo. I couldn’t have asked for a happier, funnier, more beautiful, smiley wee boy.
“I hope by sharing my story I can raise awareness of skin cancer and of early detection. Now I want to give back to support research to make a difference to the lives of people with cancer right now and in the future.”
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, is a series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.
Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman in Scotland, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in Race for Life Glasgow.
“Life-saving research is being funded right now thanks to our supporters who fundraise. The atmosphere at Race for Life Glasgow was hugely moving - full of emotion, courage, tears and laughter as people celebrated the lives of those dear to them who have survived cancer and remembered loved ones lost to the disease.
“Now we’re asking everyone who took part to return the money they’re raised as soon as possible. Funds raised - whether it’s £10 or £100 - will help scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, helping save more lives.”
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life raises funds for world-class research to help beat 200 types of cancer – including bowel cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung, testicular cancer, brain cancer, children’s cancers and leukaemia.
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