ONE brave lady from Holsworthy shared her story in front of thousands of people in the pouring rain at the recent Race for Life held in Barnstaple in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Kerry Wilcox, an appendix cancer survivor, was invited on stage by the Cancer Research UK team on Sunday, July 2, to speak to Heart FM about her journey and address more than 1,500 people who had turned up to take part in the charity race.

Kerry was diagnosed with stage three appendix cancer at the age of 37. After just six weeks of treatment for this rare cancer Kerry was given the all clear.

However, in that time she had two major operations where her appendix, half her bowel and an ovary was removed and damage was sustained to the remaining ovary — this caused early menopause and left Kerry unable to have children.

However, brave Kerry hasn’t let it get her down. She is now three and a half years in remission and this year donned a fetching neon pink tutu as she took on the Race for Life 5k in a stand against cancer.

Speaking about her experience on stage at the event, Kerry said she was amazed people wanted to hear her story: “I told my story and I honestly can say, my journey had every single person standing in the heavy downpour listening and hanging on my every word. I felt amazed at just how brave I was and how people were listening to me!”

She said she wanted to share her experiences to show her support for all those brave people out there who are still battling cancer: “I wanted to share my experience with everyone on that day, as so many people fight this disease and so many people are brave, whether this is as a patient, family or friends. I wanted everyone to understand that all those emotions are what I felt was ok!”

Kerry said one of the more emotional parts of the day was looking out at the crowd and spotting her family and friend who had come along to support her.

She said: “I became a little emotional as I could see my husband [George Wilcox], dad [Colin Punter] and my friend [Sarah May], who came with me, in the sea of people. I wanted them to be proud of themselves as well for coming along on Sunday.”

After she had given her speech, Kerry set off in her bright pink tutu with her friend Sarah to do the 5k Race for Life.

It was an emotional event for all involved as they helped each other along the way.

Kerry said: “I walked, jogged and talked myself away the track, people congratulated me, and I helped others around from small children to adults.

“As always Race for Life is an amazing day with the most amazing people and atmosphere, music, cheering, pink army everywhere!”

Kerry was delighted to have almost reached her £200 goal and said she is grateful to those who helped make it possible.

She said: “Thank you to everyone who sponsored me and is still sponsoring me, I have raised nearly £200. Holsworthy Post Zoë Uglow and Cancer Research UK Amy Salmon for helping me to achieve this wonderful day!”

Following the event Amy Salmon, Devon and Cornwall area events manager for Cancer Research UK, thanked Kerry for her bravery in speaking at the event.

She said: “It was really brave of Kerry to get up on stage to share her experience of appendix cancer with everyone at Race for Life Barnstaple.

“Her story will have touched a lot of people and I’d like to say a big thank you for Kerry getting up on stage and sharing what she’s been through and why it’s so important to get behind Cancer Research UK. Her support and everyone involved with Race for Life will help turn discoveries made in the lab into new, better treatments for patients in Barnstaple.”

Kerry had a few final words of encouragement for those still battling: ‘Think big, dream big, and most of all never give up on what you want’ — words to live by.

So far Kerry has raised £195 for Cancer Research UK, just £5 short of her target.

There is still time to donate and help push Kerry over her £200 goal.

To donate visit Kerry’s fundraising page: fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/kerrys-race-for-life-262