Thanks for visiting my Race for Life page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online - it's quick, easy and totally secure.

I am running Race for Life for a number of reasons:

Firstly, I see it as a challenge for myself to run 5K.

Secondly, the money I raise will go to Cancer Research UK, which is such an amazing charity. Events like Race for Life are vital in funding Cancer Research UK's life-saving work into preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer. By sponsoring me, we can unite and create a force that cancer cannot ignore.

Thirdly, I am running Race for Life because I know people who have lost their battle with cancer and people who are still fighting it now.

Tony Joy lost his battle to cancer of the oesophagus in 2012.

Kam Rooprey lost her battle to cancer of the liver in 2013.

Wendy Mannings sadly lost her long battle with leukemia two years ago. 

My mum, Jacqueline Baines has a thymoma  - a malignant tumour in her thymos gland; this is a rare type of cancer, which causes a neurological disorder called myasthenia gravis. She also has a rare blood condition called pure red cell aplasia. She had a year of blood transfusions, is on immunosupressants and had six weeks of radiotherapy. It's still an ongoing battle, and she is always going to have the conditions linked to her thymoma.

Finally, I am running to give thanks to St Bartholomew's Hospital in London, who have been so kind and helpful to my mother and I since January 2013 when she had her biopsy and stayed on ward 5B. During my mother's stay on the ward, my eyes were really opened to the terrible effects of cancer and its treatment. Nevertheless, the nurses, doctors and consultants do an unbelievably incredible job, and the treatment is world class. My mother's consultant has been fantastic!

However, it is not all 'doom and gloom.' I also know people who have suffered with cancer and are now in remission, such as Sandra Jeganathan.

I can't begin to imagine how frightening  it is to be battling cancer. Not only does cancer affect the patient, it also has a knock-on effect on their loved ones, family and friends. I admire the bravery, determination  and perseverance  that these people have, and I want to raise money by running Race for Life to show my admiration  to those who are fighting, but also in memory of those who have lost their battle.

I would really appreciate it if you would sponsor me. However small or large your donation is, it all adds up and goes towards helping Cancer Research UK. It is fantastic to think how far we have come in researching and finding a cure for cancer. It can only get better. The more money raised, the better the research and the better the treatment.

If you're a UK taxpayer, please remember to tick the Gift Aid box as this will increase your donation by at least 25% at no cost to you.

Thank you for reading this and I hope you feel you would like to make a donation and support me in my fundraising for Cancer Research UK.

Together, we will beat cancer.

Sophie xxx