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Mum on the run for charity
A mum who lost her husband to one of the rarest forms of cancer is determined to help stamp out the devastating disease.
Lisa Howe's husband Gary died aged 39 – just six months after he was diagnosed with angiosarcoma, a blood vessel cancer which caused a tumour in his heart.
Since the devoted East Herrington dad died in March 2006, Lisa has raised money for Cancer Research UK in his memory and now she is gearing up to race in the city's top female sporting events.
The 37-year-old, who is mum to Rebecca, three, says she is spurred on by the care given to Gary in his final months and his pledge to help research into the condition.
She explained: "Gary was diagnosed with the rarest form of cancer.
"He was an ideal candidate for clinical trials and staff at the Northern Centre for Cancer Treatment in Newcastle General Hospital were there for him 24 hours a day. They just couldn't do enough for him.
"In return, Gary helped them to understand the condition. He would tell them anything if it was going to help somebody else. His notes were even used at a European convention about the disease."
Now Lisa is hoping to raise cash for the cancer charity by racing in the Great Women's Run in June and the Race For Life next month.
Gary, who worked as an accountant, was diagnosed with angiosarcoma after experiencing symptoms, such as shortness of breath, similar to those from a chest infection.
The type of cancer is so rare that there are only 14 cases diagnosed in the UK every year.
But although doctors gave Gary just three months to live after diagnosis in September 2005, he went on to double that prediction.
Lisa, an employment mentor, said: "Doctors said it could have been his treatment or it could have been his will to live. Rebecca was only 16 months at the time and he wanted to see her as much as possible.
"He just got on with it. His doctor said some patients give up, but he never did that."
The mum, who lives at Lulworth Court, had been with Gary since she was 19 and now hopes to pass on the happy times they shared to their daughter.
She said: "We had Rebecca quite late and I sometimes look back and think should we have done things earlier?
"But at least Rebecca has not had to deal with grief, and the memories she will have of him will not be about cancer, but the ones I give her."
Lisa will be one of thousands of women to pound the pavements of Roker and Seaburn for a good cause in this year's Great Women's Run on Sunday, June 15.
It will be the third time that Lisa has taken part in the six-mile road race and she says it is always something special.
"It's a really nice race because it includes a run along the beach. Even if you haven't done that much training you feel spurred on on the day by all the other runners.
"It's amazing to see how many people are affected by cancer, amazing but sad."
The mum will also be pulling on her trainers for this year's Race For Life, a 5km run and walk on Sunday, May 11, which takes place in Herrington Country Park.
To sponsor Lisa visit www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/lisahowe
To download an entry form for the Great Women's Run visit www.sunderlandecho.com and follow the link.
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Tuesday 07 February 2012
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