Gill winning her race for life
GILL McDade battled through five kilometres of running last year.
She did it to help find a cure for cancer.
All the while, she was fighting breast cancer herself. She's winning that fight too.
Reporter MARK PAYNE caught up with her.
IT was a moment Gill McDade will never forget.
It was the moment doctors told her she had cancer.
"I was just absolutely devastated," she recalled.
It was November 2007 and the diagnosis came after Gill discovered a lump while in the shower.
"It is the worst thing anyone can say to you that you have got cancer.
"You just fear it is a death sentence," said the 46-year-old.
Luckily Gill did not have the most serious form of breast cancer and two weeks later she underwent surgery at the University Hospital of Hartlepool to remove the lump.
Over the next few months, she had to face six sessions of dreaded chemotherapy.
Like most patients, she lost her hair, suffered sickness and felt totally drained.
"It really knocks you for six," she said. "It is horrible. I lost my hair after 14 days and felt bad for about 14 days afterwards.
"Then you only have about four days when you feel OK before the next session."
Gill also had to give up work at trade union Unison in Hartlepool, where she is a branch administration officer, for seven months.
But not long after finishing her chemotherapy, the mum-of-two pulled on a pink T-shirt and joined thousands of other women on a sunny June morning to take part in Hartlepool's Race for Life.
Still feeling the effects of the chemo, Gill walked the seafront route supported by daughters Rebecca, 23, and Jenni Stoddart, 25, and five-year-old granddaughter Sophie.
Between them they raised an impressive 450 for cancer research.
Gill, married to John, 50, who also works for Unison, said: "I did it to raise money and also awareness. Hopefully, when Sophie grows up they will have found a cure.
"It was a marvellous day. I was still quite weak because I had just finished the chemotherapy but I thoroughly enjoyed it."
Just days before the race, Gill had also started a course of radiotherapy which saw her travel to Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital every weekday for three weeks.
But by July she was feeling well enough to return to work. Today she is feeling fine and has to take just one pill a day.However, Gill, also mum to Jonathan Stoddart, 16, and stepson Connor McDade, 12, must wait five years before being given the official all clear.
But she could not have got this far without the support of her nearest and dearest.
"I've had great support from all of my family including the kids and my four grandchildren," said Gill.
"They were all devastated at first but they were all really supportive and my employers have been brilliant."
Cancer has been thrust into the national spotlight recently due to high profile cases such as the terminally-ill reality TV star Jade Goody and death last week of actress Wendy Richard.
The former EastEnders favourite twice overcame breast cancer before it spread and claimed her life.
Gill, of Oxford Road, Hartlepool, feels despite the tragedies they are serving to raise vital awareness.
She said: "I really admire Jade Goody. It must be absolutely horrendous to put yourself in the spotlight when you are going through chemotherapy to get some money for her boys.
"I wouldn't have had the strength. She is doing a great job to raise awareness of cervical cancer and will leave a great legacy."
She added: "If what she is going through makes one person get themselves checked and goes to the doctors it can only be a good thing."
Gill enjoyed Race for Life so much that she plans to do it again this year.
And she is working with musician friend Steve Balsamo, who has performed with the likes of Elton John, to stage a charity night in Hartlepool for breast cancer later this year.
Steve, in Welsh band The Storys, made a soothing tape to help Gill during her cancer treatment.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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