A woman living with a terminal brain tumour is determined to make her experience positive by helping others – and her church has rallied round to support her in one of the most active ways possible.

Jayne Douglas has been living with cancer in one form or another for much of the last three years and has received treatment at the Henderson Suite at Whitehaven’s West Cumberland Hospital.

With her faith in God giving her the peace that she need not fear death, Jayne was keen to spend the time she has left making a difference that will help others.

And such has been the support of fellow members of the congregation at Workington’s Emmanuel Church that several took up running to take part in sponsored races in aid of the unit that has treated her.

Jayne, ##, who lives in Dearham, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2016.

Surgery removed the tumour and chemotherapy followed, resulting in Jayne, a customer service assistant for Impact Housing, receiving the all-clear.

But the following year she began suffering headaches and numbness in her arm, and tests revealed a brain tumour.

More treatment followed to eradicate the cancer but, again, it returned, this time in November 2018 in the form of a new brain tumour with multiple deposits.

The mother-of-four, who has lived in West Cumbria for more than 20 years, including in Workington and Great Clifton, began chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.

However, the chemotherapy led to a triple aneurism, forcing her to stop the treatment, and doctors have said she has reached the limit of radiotherapy.

Despite no longer being able to undergo treatment to prolong her life, Jayne is stoic about her situation.

She has decided not to ask doctors to estimate her life expectancy, filled with faith that she has exactly the number of days left on Earth that God has set out for her, and determined to fill them by doing the positive things He has set out for her to do.

She has been spurred on in her journey by her faith and, in particular, a quote which highlights a sentiment she shares that, while doctors deliver the facts of a medical diagnosis, God delivers the truth of a person’s condition or situation.

As part of the positive impact she wants her illness to have, Jayne and her family decided to support the Henderson Suite, helping to fund creature comforts to enable the staff to make patients’ experiences that bit easier and more comfortable, as she had experienced herself.

And with her church family on board, a team of eight members, most of them non-runners, began training to take part in 5K, half marathon or marathon runs at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Liverpool weekend.

May 25 saw Jayne’s daughter Rachel Pettit take part in the 5K race alongside church pastor Tony Pietersen, his wife Penny and daughter Jessica, and fellow church members Cameron Watson, Nathan Caine and Darren and Nicola Graham.

Tony went on to complete a marathon the following day, while Rachel and Nathan took part in the half marathon.

Their efforts have raised more than £1,500 for the cancer unit, with sponsorship still being collected.

Jayne said: “Honestly, I can’t fault them at the hospital. They get slated sometimes and they don’t get enough credit. It was almost two years since I’d been to the Henderson Suite and when I went back the nurses still knew my name. I just wanted to be able to contribute.

“It’s been a difficult experience but I have tried not to let it get to me. I have just tried to make it a positive experience.

“Don’t get me wrong, I have had days where I don’t particularly want to get out of bed but then I think ‘why waste them’.”

For Jayne, knowing the impact her eventual death will have on her family is harder than the impact her illness is has on herself.

She said: “I’ve never been scared by death. It’s the sting that death leaves for the family because I’ll be in a better place.

“I don’t know how people get through it without faith. It does bring you to your knees but I depend on God. I rely on Him and, when I feel myself slipping, He’s always there.”

A Christian for more than 30 years, Jayne’s involvement with Emmanuel Church began in 2011 and followed the loss of her great-niece, Ruth Mae Mills, who died suddenly aged 18 months, soon after being diagnosed with a brain tumour herself.

Now the church is supporting Jayne and her family through her own health challenges, and she has been overwhelmed by the support its members have shown in praying and visiting her, as well as helping fundraising.

Jayne said: “It’s definitely an uplift, and you can tell when people are praying. You just feel that peace.”

Tony said: “Jayne’s been an example through her suffering. She doesn’t realise it but she has.

“Her love for her family and others when you could easily become self-obsessed and selfish is inspiring. And her commitment to Jesus and His Word has been great to see.

“It’s not been without its downs but life has got ups and downs.

“I think it’s always important to support and care for people who are going through these sorts of challenges.

“It’s commanded in the Bible that when one is down we are all down so we share the family concern and support.”

To support Jayne and the team in their fundraising efforts visit www.gofundme.com/henderson-suite-in-support-of-jayne