A Camborne woman who lost her mother to cancer is urging people to take part in Race for Life in her name.

Kylie Day, 27, a support worker for handicapped adults lost her mum Alison to ovarian cancer in July 2008.

Now she is urging mums, daughters, sisters and friends in Cornwall to make a defiant stand against cancer by entering the Race for Life 5k, at Richard Lander School in Truro on Sunday 13 July.

Mum of two, Kylie, said: “It was an awful shock when mum was diagnosed with cancer. I just couldn’t believe it was happening. She was 44 when told she had ovarian cancer.

“Just before mum was diagnosed she told us she felt bloated as though she was pregnant and at first it was put down to an infection.

“Not long afterwards she coughed up a lot of water and following some tests it was discovered she had cancer cells in her pelvis.

“Despite chemotherapy she died two years later as the cancer had spread to her brain. She collapsed and died on 12 July 2008 at the age of 46.

She added: “Taking part in Race for Life is my way of fighting back against cancer and knowing that mum would have liked to have taken part had she more time with us.

“It’s going to be an incredibly emotional event, but I know mum would be proud of me and that by taking part I’ll be helping other families have more precious time with their loved ones. That’s why I want women in Cornwall to join me, because united we are stronger than this terrible disease.”

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is a women-only series of 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy events around the country which raises millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer sooner.

Ruth Chamings, Cancer Research UK’s Cornwall events manager, said: “We’re calling on an army of feisty females to help us stop cancer in its tracks. Race for Life events are not competitive. They are not about being fit or fast. Instead, they are an amazing way to celebrate life but also remember those who have been lost to the disease.”

To enter Race for Life’s 5k in Truro go to: www.raceforlife.org or call 0845 600 6050.