A brave Lanarkshire mum diagnosed with skin cancer while expecting her first child at the height of the COVID pandemic launched Scotland’s biggest Race for Life yesterday.
Andrea Lambrou, who is a reporter for Lanarkshire Live, was chosen as the event’s VIP starter to sound the horn at Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life Glasgow on Sunday.
The 39-year-old was given the shock news she had malignant melanoma in July 2020 while 36 weeks pregnant with her son Leo.
Overnight, what had been one of the happiest times in Andrea and her husband Nicos Lambrou’s life, transformed into an anxiety-filled series of hospital appointments and treatment.
Leo was born on July 24, weighing 7lb 2oz.
Andrea said: “As I prepared to become a mum for the first time I was given the terrifying news that I had skin cancer. There was trauma and there were tears.
"I’ll never know why or how this happened to me and 2020 will forever be the toughest year of my life. But I count myself lucky; I was so far on in my pregnancy that it was possible for my son Leo to be delivered safely and he was healthy.
"I was able to get the treatment I needed. I’m eternally grateful that as a new mum I swiftly received every scan, test, surgery and treatment when our incredible NHS was stretched to the limit fighting COVID-19."
After three major surgeries in the first six months of motherhood and a year and a half immunotherapy treatment, Andrea's scan showed clear.
She added: "I showed clear scans and I continue to do so. And the positivity just shines from our little Leo. I couldn’t have asked for a happier, funnier, more beautiful, smiley wee boy.
“I hope by sharing my story I can raise awareness of skin cancer and of early detection. Now I want to give back to support research to make a difference to the lives of people with cancer right now and in the future.”
She was joined by Dr Helen Mulvana, a scientist at the University of Strathclyde, who shared VIP duties at the start line, cheering on supporters.
It was an emotional moment for Andrea as 5,522 participants left Glasgow Green and set off through the streets of Scotland’s largest city.
Almost half a million pounds was raised at the event on Glasgow Green, vital funds which will enable scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer - helping to save more lives.
Every year around 33,900 people are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland and one in two people in the UK born after 1960 will get cancer in their lifetime.
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is an inspiring series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.
Race for Life Glasgow also included 14 members of the Strathaven Superhoopers who power hooped their way through the entire 5k course.
More than £20m has been raised in Glasgow to fund gentler and more effective treatments for cancer since Scotland’s first Race for Life event was held in the city in spring 1995.
This year, participants received a special medal to mark 30 years of Race for Life.
Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman in Scotland, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in Race for Life Glasgow.
“Life-saving research is being funded right now thanks to our supporters who fundraise. The atmosphere at Race for Life Glasgow was hugely moving - full of emotion, courage, tears and laughter as people celebrated the lives of those dear to them who have survived cancer and remembered loved ones lost to the disease.”
Andrea will be taking part in Glasgow’s Pretty Muddy event on June 17 to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. To sponsor her click here.
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