A Chorley solicitor, who realised something was wrong when her training runs began leaving her feverish, exhausted and coughing, has raised £805 for charity by running a marathon just six months after being given the all clear from cancer.
Caroline Rigby (31) ran April’s Manchester Marathon for Rosemere Cancer Foundation to thank the medics who treated her at Rosemere Cancer Centre, Lancashire and South Cumbria’s regional specialist cancer treatment and radiotherapy centre at the Royal Preston Hospital.
Caroline became a patient there in August 2021 after being diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma (a type of blood cancer that affects the immune system).
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A regular runner who completed the Dublin Marathon in 2017, Caroline, who works for Manchester city centre law firm Brabners, said: “I have always enjoyed running and it was through running that I realised there was something wrong as it worsened my symptoms of a bad cough, feeling tired and feverish.”
Caroline underwent gruelling chemotherapy but throughout worked to maintain her fitness by going for walks, practicing yoga and doing resistance work with light weights.
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She received her all clear last November and started her marathon training in January. Caroline said: “I did do gentle exercise throughout chemo which I definitely think helped as I avoided a lot of the predicted side-effects.
“My time in Dublin was 4:34:59. The time I got for Manchester was 4:52:56 so not too far behind my personal best all things considered.”
The charity funds cutting-edge equipment, clinical research, staff training and innovative services and initiatives that the NHS cannot afford to make patients’ cancer journey more effective, comfortable and stress-free.
For further information on its work, including how to make a donation, visit the Rosemere Cancer Foundation website.
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