THEY were best friends who did everything together - including battle cancer at the same time.

But, while Elayne Bryan survived breast cancer, her dear friend Fiona Phillips succumbed to a brain tumour.

Elayne, who says she thinks of Fiona every day, is supporting Cancer Research's Race for Life in her memory.

Heartbroken Elayne placed the medal she received after completing her first Race for Life 5k event on the grave of friend Fiona, who was just 38 when she died from cancer.

Now mum-of-one Elayne is calling on people in Glasgow to help fund vital life-saving research by signing up to Cancer Research UK’s Pretty Muddy.

Elayne, from Craigend, said: “When I got told I had cancer it really felt like someone had punched me in the stomach.

“I’ll never forget that feeling of fear. But I was one of the lucky ones. I was diagnosed early and thanks to brilliant treatment I’m through it now and well.

"But I think of my friend Fiona every day. We met at work and were best friends for ten years. We were total opposites.

"In fact, we used to laugh at how different we were but we just got on really well.

"The sun was splitting the sky on the day of Fiona’s funeral but inside I felt so sad that we’d lost such a beautiful person so young.

"I ran my first Race for Life as a tribute to Fiona and it made all the sense in the world to dedicate that medal to the courage she’d shown.”

Elayne, a retail manager, recalls vividly how she felt in June 2004 when diagnosed with breast cancer.

She endured surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Through all the treatment, her friend Fiona was there for her, ready with a hug or words of support.

Only months earlier, in February 2004, Fiona had been diagnosed with a brain tumour so was also fighting her own fierce battle.

But by spring 2005, while Elayne slowly recovered after treatment, her friend Fiona was dying. Fiona died in Strathcarron hospice in May 2005.

Elayne, 56, said: “Fiona was too young to die.

“When I left that final afternoon she had a tear running down her cheek. I told Fiona I’d do Race for Life in her memory. I loved it so much when I completed it for the first time in 2006.

"I wrote on the sign on my back that I was running for Fiona and I was in tears when I completed the race. It was an emotional moment but I’ve taken part in Race for Life every year since.

“But now I can look back on the good times too. I think back to an amazing holiday in the Bahamas which we enjoyed together.

"I remember sitting in the jacuzzi with her just chatting and laughing. She was lovely and I’ll never forget her.”

Elayne is now proud grandma to Alex, eight, Melissa, four, and Jessica, one, the children of her son Gareth, 36, who was also a huge support to her through cancer.

She’s proud to team up with Cancer Research UK lead research and information nurse Laura Rooney to issue a rallying cry for women of all shapes and sizes to swing into action and sign up now for Pretty Muddy Glasgow, at Bellahouston Park, on September 17.

Laura is based at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow where, as previously told by the Evening Times, around 150 clinical trials are run every year offering new hope to patients.

When trials prove successful the cutting edge treatments can be used to save or extend thousands of lives.

Laura, 31, said: “People across Scotland hear the words, ‘you have cancer' every day.

“One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives. Thanks to advances in research more people are surviving than ever before, but there’s still more work to be done. "The fight is on and we’re rallying women across Scotland to join us at the starting line at Pretty Muddy.

"We know that the ladies of Scotland are ready to limber up, stride out and take on the challenge so we urge them to sign up now and help bring us one step closer to the day when all cancers are cured.”

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is a women-only series of 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and marathon events that raise millions of pounds every year to help fund life-saving research.

Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK spokeswoman for Scotland, said: “We’re urging women to pick the event that puts fire in their bellies and sign up as soon as possible. One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives.

"Thanks to advances in research more people are surviving than ever before, but there’s still more work to be done. The fight is on and we’re rallying women across Scotland to join us at the starting line."

Money raised through Race for Life allows Cancer Research UK’s doctors, nurses and scientists to advance research which is helping to save the lives of men, women and children across Scotland.

Funds raised will go towards beating more than 200 different types of cancer.

To enter Race for Life see raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.