When Ruth Sandison was 16, she was told she had leukaemia and admits she thought she was going to die.
Even worse, she suffered the side effects of a stroke and losing all her hair and had to learn to walk and talk again.
But after two years of treatment and an extra year at school to make up for missed lessons, Ruth, now 19. has come out the other side and is a student at Glasgow’s Caledonian University.
And now she’s urging people to help Macmillan Cancer Support, the charity which assisted her and her family through the difficult time by running in next month’s 10K, one of the major events supported by the Evening Times Glas-goals health and fitness campaign.
Ruth, who lives in the city centre, said: “Cancer patients would be lost without them. They were there for me the whole time.”
Three years ago Ruth was feeling run down, tired and had constant colds. Her health was so bad she could barely get out of bed.
She went to her GP with mum, Shirley, 50, for some blood tests, and the doctor told them to call in the following week for the results.
But he arrived at the family’s house the next night with the devastating news that she had leukaemia, cancer of the blood.
Ruth said: “He didn’t expect it to be what it was – none of us did. I was terrified and numb. I thought I was going to die. My mum was terrified too. We just all sat around crying.”
The teen was rushed to hospital and started chemotherapy a few days later. But she then suffered the stroke because of a reaction to the chemotherapy drugs, lost the use of her left side and developed blood clots on her brain.
However, with the help of doctors, she recovered and has even found love with schoolmate Calum Craw. She also got to rub shoulders with her favourite band McFly after another charity set up the dream meeting.
But she says she couldn’t have done it without Macmillan nurse, Judith Smith, to whom she was introduced just days after the shocking diagnosis.
Ruth, who also has a brother Duncan, 16, said: “She was my go-to girl for everything! I knew I could always trust her to be completely truthful with me even though I was really young.”
The charity sometimes offers financial help and got grants for Ruth and her family as her mum had to miss work to care for her.
Ruth had to stay on for an extra year of school because she’d missed so much work, but managed to get a place at university and hopes to work in counselling.
She now goes for three-monthly check-ups but so far the news is good. She said: “I’ve been clear for more than a year and it’s all behind me.”
The Scottish Rockettes are also using their pom-poms to persuade people to run the Ignis Asset Management 10K on May 9 or the Men’s Health Forum 10K on June 20 to help Macmillan raise £40,000.
Both start and finish in Bellahouston Park. The money raised will help Macmillan fund its vital cancer services including doctors and nurses throughout the NHS, a Glasgow helpline and grants for patients with cash worries.
- Visit www.macmillan.org.uk/running or call 0141 952 0085
HOW TO ENTER
There is still time to enter the 2010 Ignis Asset Management Women’s 10k - visit www.runglasgow.org for details. Race entry starts at £24.
Volunteers needed to help make big race a success
Your 10K needs you! Organisers of the 2010 Ignis Asset Management Women’s 10k – the largest race of its kind in Britain – are searching for an army of volunteers to help out on race day.
More than 12,500 women are expected to take to the city’s streets for this year’s event on May 9, so help behind the scenes, along the route and at the start and finish lines is essential.
Culture and Sport Glasgow is looking for around 80 race stewards to support the runners on the day.
Route stewards play a key role in maintaining public safety by indicating the race direction and assisting with the flow of competitors if necessary. The stewards also provide information to spectators.
Jean Lawrie has been volunteering at the women’s 10k and other races for around five years. “It can be hard work depending on the number of entrants and number of volunteers but it can be a great laugh too,” she explains.
“We have met some really nice people and we often see them again at other races.”
Councillor Anne McTaggart, said: “Volunteering at the Women’s 10k is the best way to get behind the scenes and help thousands of people achieve their goals. Race-day volunteers make a vital contribution to the event
“It really is a fantastic opportunity to get involved in one of the city’s biggest and best sporting events, even if you are not running.”
Volunteering is open to anyone over the age of 18 years. Volunteers will receive a bespoke souvenir kit and allowances for food and drink on the day.
If you are interested in acting as a race volunteer contact Culture and Sport Glasgow by calling 0141 302 2845 or by e-mailing events@csglasgow.org
BEGINNERS 10K TRAINING GUIDE
WEEK 9: MONDAY APRIL 19 - SUNDAY APRIL 25
MONDAY: Jog for 25 mins
TUESDAY: Jog for 20 mins
WEDNESDAY: Jog for 30 mins
THURSDAY: Rest
FRIDAY: Jog for 35 mins
SATURDAY: Rest
SUNDAY: 40-45 mins alternate jog/walk
Shape up with our Glas-goals campaign
Do you want to get fit and healthy?
Well, here’s your chance.
Our Glas-goals campaign is aimed at tackling the city’s appalling health record and it is for everyone - no matter what age you are or where you live.
The Evening Times has teamed up with a number of partners including NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Culture and Sport Glasgow, Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Housing Association.
And we’ll be supporting other key groups like Macmillan Cancer Support to help improve the lives of every Glaswegian.
We are targeting a series of health goals, including basic fitness, obesity, diet and smoking.
We can help Glasgow stub out a million cigarettes, run, walk, cycle and swim a million miles and lose hundreds of thousands of pounds in weight.
As well as major events, we’re staging fun and informative health and fitness activities around the city throughout the year.
Working together, we can make a better future for Glasgow.
So why not sign up today and be part of the Glas-goals health revolution.
Tell us what your goals for 2010 are by sending an e-mail to:
