By Pamela McGowan Health reporter

Last updated at 13:01, Monday, 09 July 2012

A group of friends brought together by breast cancer are raising money to help others by taking part in this weekend’s Race For Life.

From left, Sandra Jones, Lynda Muir, Sally Budd and Christine Hetherington

Christine Hetherington, 52, Lynda Muir, 44, Sandra Jones, 46, and Sally Budd, 46, nicknamed themselves ‘the Boobettes’ after undergoing surgery and chemotherapy.

They have formed their own social group and have found it a lifeline during the toughest parts of the treatment.

Now they are turning their energy to something positive, signing up for the 5km charity event, on Sunday in Carlisle, for Cancer Research UK.

Christine, of Carleton, said she had wanted to take part in last year’s event but her health wouldn’t allow it.

“My friend was doing it but I was smack bang in the middle of my chemotherapy. I said I’d do it this year instead.

“Since then us Boobettes have formed so I suggested it to the girls,” she said.

The women were brought together almost by accident during their cancer treatment.

Christine and Lynda, of Belle Vue, Carlisle, had known each other for years. But by coincidence they came to be diagnosed with breast cancer on the very same day.

“We were sat next to each other waiting for our results. I said it’s not looking good for me and she said the same,” said Christine.

After starting treatment they got in touch with Sandra, also of Belle Vue, following an article in the News & Star.

She had set up her business, Wigsense, to help chemotherapy patients after being made redundant and diagnosed with cancer in the same month.

Immediately they hit it off and they became friends rather than just clients.

Through Sandra the others met Sally, of Low Hesket. They now meet up regularly, together with fellow breast cancer fighter Lesley Winter, who isn’t able to take part in Race For Life, for social events and outings.

Sandra, who had also wanted to take part last year but couldn’t due to her chemo, said that when the subject of Race For Life came up they were all keen to get involved.

Lynda added: “It’s great to be part of the massive fund raising scheme for Cancer Research, to raise money for their life saving research.

“All of the women doing the Race for Life have someone’s name on the back of their T-shirt, saying who they are running for. They are doing it for personal reasons, having been affected themselves or they know of someone affected by this horrible disease.

“The feeling you get when you see all the women, dressed in pink and having a fab time, is second to none. It’s a time when we all come together, united by the same reason.

“I am doing it with friends I have made during my battle with breast cancer – we are the lucky ones, we are still here.”

Sally said being part of the Race for Life has given her a new lease of life. “It jolted me back into living again and motivated me to do something positive,” she said.

First published at 11:27, Monday, 09 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk