Emma Harrison reveals why Race For Life is particularly poignant for her this year

WATCHING thousands of women gather at York Racecourse in a united cause is an emotional experience for anyone touched by cancer.

Race For Life is an event which unites women of all generations in one cause - raising money for cancer research - and this year's event on Sunday May 19, which is being supported by the Evening Press, promises to be the biggest yet.

For me, the event is very poignant.

Two years ago my mum watched proudly as I crossed the Race For Life finishing line. This year I will be running it without her, but supported by friends.

Her brave fight with breast cancer began in October 1997. She finally lost her battle in November 2000, aged just 54.

Cancer and death were never her motive for life - and it was her will to live with cancer which will be my eternal inspiration.

As a woman in my 20s, I feel cheated to have lost my mum so young and yet I know that my serenity in grief comes from watching her belief in life and never giving in.

Like many other days, I will shed tears on May 19, but my tears will not be only of sadness but also of the will to play my role in finding cures for cancer, particularly the one that finally got the better of my mum.

Her suffering is over now - but the battle goes on for us all. It could become a battle for me too as Mum's cancer at such a young age places me at higher risk.

Many people associate cancer with death and, like many others, I know that can be the truth. But even though my mum did die, she taught me that where there is life there is hope and where there is hope there is freedom from this disease.

It is hard for me to comprehend that this time around I am running the race without my mum. But I am running it for her and all the other thousands of women in this city whose lives are touched by cancer.

Last time I ran I was running for hope for mum, she was too poorly to run alongside me, but her spirit and words of encouragement egged me on. This time that hope for her life in this world is gone - but slowly and surely I am replacing it with hope for my future.

My mum was dedicated to raising awareness of breast cancer and raised £14,000 for research over three years. Throughout this time she underwent repeated chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but also returned to her beloved nursing career and continued to be an ever-loving wife and mother.

Her spirit was unbreakable and even though I wondered how I would ever go on without her, she taught me that my spirit would survive too.

I can't hope to raise as much as Mum did, but have no doubt I will be nagging those around me for sponsorship. They may not be running, but everyone can join in the fight.

Cancer affects not just the patient but everyone surrounding them. Race For Life is a wonderful expression of our unity to finding a cure for cancer. Mothers, daughters, grandmothers can join together in the hope that there won't be another me and Mum.

Even as a journalist it is difficult for me to write this story. My grief and expression of the loss of my mum is eternally private, saved for my times alone.

But I share my story because it is just one of thousands which spur people on to support Race For Life.

I have to look to the future and I know my angel will be holding my hand every step of the way. In fact there will be many angels watching us on May 19 - we must grasp all of their hands and run for them.

This race gives us a united cause - to share in battling for those living with and surviving cancer and to find the way to free us all from the disease in the future.

That is what our angels would want.