Teenager Sasha Watson, who is battling a rare form of liver cancer, will take to the stage on Sunday, May 18, to officially start this year’s Falmouth Race for Life.

Sasha, 18, will then be joined by her mum, Michelle Bray, and aunt, Kathryn Stivey, as they take part in the Cancer Research UK fundraiser. There is still time for other women to join those who have already signed up to take part as registration closes at midnight tomorrow, May 15.

Sasha had wanted to take part in last year’s race, but her diagnosis, which came just days after her 17th birthday, prevented that.

Over the past year she has undergone several operations and has been having fortnightly cycles of chemotherapy since before Christmas. Despite her ongoing treatment, though, the former Falmouth School pupil is determined cross the finish line.

“Taking part in Race for Life is a way of hitting cancer where it hurts and it’s our way of saying thank-you to the people who have helped us through this and gave Sasha the best care and treatment she could have had,” said Michelle, of Goldenbank.

“We will both be walking round the course with my sister-in-law Kathryn who has been a tremendous support to us all. It will be a very emotional day.”

Falmouth Packet:

Sasha Watson, far right, will officially start this year’s Falmouth Race for Life

Sasha, who had been studying hairdressing at Cornwall College before she was taken ill, added: “In between all the scary episodes, as a family we have had a lot of fun with different fundraising events for local charities too. I have been to London to see the Lion King, to Lapland and also to Amsterdam.

Race for Life is my goal and I so want to achieve that this weekend.”Sasha’s sisters, Ria, 15, and Keita, 12, will also be taking part, running with school friends, and their dad, Chris, will be cheering them all on.

 

Ruth Chamings, Cancer Research UK’s South West events manager, said: “We are looking forward to having Sasha open the event on Sunday and we will be so proud to have her on stage to officially start the race.

“More people in the South West are surviving cancer than ever before but while we’re heading in the right direction, too many lives are still being lost to the disease.”

The Falmouth Race for Life will start from Gyllyngvase Beach car park at 11am on Sunday. To register to take part visit www.raceforlife.org or call 0845 6006050.