FIVE years ago Sue Hone was told she was suffering from Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and it was incurable.

Today, the mother-of-twois digging out her running shoes and getting ready to race for life alongside thousands of other women wanting to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

She said: "When I was diagnosed with the cancer in 2002 I was told it was a type of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma that was incurable".

"I didn't ask how long I had left, but I know now that the average life expectancy at that time was five years."

But Mrs Hone, who was the manager of a chiropractic centre before becoming ill, is now looking forward to a long and healthy life.

She said: "I've been part of an international trial for a drug called Rituximab, and I definitely wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for medical advances.

"Until I die from natural causes at the age of 80 or 90 then we won't know for sure whether I've been cured for good, but at the moment I'm in remission, which means there's no sign of cancer in my scans.

"I am a very lucky person and now all I want to do is live every moment as if it's my last.

"It has taken me quite a time to recover, but I'm now starting to think about returning to work and I'm also going to be taking part in this summer's Race For Life."

The 52-year-old, of Duggleby, near Malton, said: "I did it last year, and although I wasn't able to run the whole way, just being there was enough because I never expected that I would be. It was an incredibly emotional day."

More than 800,000 women of all ages are expected to take part in Race For Life events nationwide this summer. In York, race organisers are hoping to raise £496,000 from the Knavesmire event on June 27, which includes an afternoon race at 1pm and an evening race at 7.30pm.

What is Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

  • A cancer of the lymphatic system, which can attack just about anywhere in the body - most commonly lymph nodes in the neck
  • The sixth most common cancer in the UK - more common in men than women and risk increases with age
  • More than 9,700 people were diagnosed with NHL in the UK in 2003
  • There are 20 different types of NHL
  • Prognosis: Low grade NHL is not curable, only treatable', but intermediate and high grade NHLs are potentially curable with combination chemotherapy.
  • Famous sufferers of the disease include Corrie star Anne Kirkbride, Lib Dem leader Menzies Campbell and US comic Gene Wilder.