SHOWBIZ presenter Laura Boyd, who marks a decade since she was diagnosed with cancer, has teamed up with a Glasgow scientist to launch Stand Up To Cancer in Scotland.

Laura, who recently announced she is expecting a baby via a surrogate, met with cancer researcher Professor Mhairi Copland to make a stand against the disease.

She credits her survival to the scientists and doctors carrying out life-saving research to find new treatments for her type of cancer – chronic myeloid leukaemia or CML.

The 38-year-old, a well-known face on STV, said: “Until I was diagnosed, I didn’t even think about it. But once cancer affects you, or a family member, it becomes so important to you. And you realise how vital funding and fundraising is to the scientists doing that work.

“I owe my life to the researchers because they’re constantly coming up with new ways and new drugs to treat CML. With this type of cancer, you can become immune to the medication that you’re on. But luckily, the science is advancing all the time so there are other new drugs to try.

She continued: “I know of someone who was diagnosed 20 years ago with the same type of cancer as me, and she’s no longer with us because the research wasn’t there, the drugs weren’t there. I just think I’m in such a lucky position.”

Scientist Mhairi, who is a blood cancer doctor based at the Paul O’Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre at the University of Glasgow, is leading a study with funding from Stand Up To Cancer to test new treatment options for CML and develop a blood test to monitor the disease.

She said: “Our hope is that this study will help more patients with difficult-to-treat CML to survive and give them more time with their families with better quality of life.”

From climbing Ben Nevis, to open water swimming, to abseiling down the Wallace Monument, Laura says living with cancer has given her a new appreciation for life – and she is always first and last on the dancefloor.

Laura said: “The 10 year mark is really strange. It’s amazing, but what most people think is it’s 10 years without cancer, they think I’m cured. But with this type of leukaemia, it’s always there, so that’s quite strange.

“I find it a real time to reflect on everything that I’ve gone through. But overall, I’m just so grateful to still be here."

The TASTER trial, led by Prof Copland and her colleague Professor David Vetrie at the University of Glasgow, is testing two new treatment options to see if they’re more effective at treating people with CML.

Since it was launched in the UK in 2012, Stand Up To Cancer has raised over £62 million to fund 52 pioneering clinical trials and research projects.

This autumn will see a dedicated season of programming for Stand Up To Cancer on Channel 4.