EK breast cancer survivor takes centre stage at Scotland’s biggest Race for Life

It was an emotional moment as Laura Eggo took to the stage at Glasgow Green on Sunday, May 19 as her pre-recorded story was played to the thousands gathered.

The mum-of-one’s words of courage will be heard across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales this spring and summer before participants set off on Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life routes.

After successful treatment including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Laura, who is in remission, was guest of honour at her home Race for Life event which more than 6,600 people took part in.

A total of £750,000 was raised at Race for Life Glasgow, vital funds which will enable scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer helping to save more lives. Laura, a biomedical scientist at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, and her husband Brian also ran the 10k with family raising over £2000.

The couple who are proud parents to five-year-old daughter Ivy know exactly how vital it is to raise funds for lifesaving research. In February this year, it was discovered that Laura has inherited the faulty BRCA1 gene. She now faces more surgery to cut the risk of cancer returning.

Laura, now 42, said: “We all have a reason to Race for Life. For me it’s a chance to say thank you, to raise money to help people tackling cancer right now. Finding out I have the faulty BRCA1 gene was a shock. I will be looking at more surgery in the future but that news has made me even more determined to do what I can to support the discovery of more treatments and cures for my daughter’s generation.”

Statistics show between five and 10 per cent of cancers diagnosed are linked to an inherited faulty gene. Only around one in every 400 people have a faulty BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. Researchers think that around 70 per cent of women with a faulty BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene will develop breast cancer by the age of 80.

Doctors have advised Laura to consider mastectomy surgery and also to have her ovaries removed.

Laura discovered a lump while breastfeeding her daughter Ivy during the pandemic and at first thought it could be caused by a blocked milk duct. But when the lump did not go away, Laura contacted her GP and was devastated on June 14, 2021 after tests revealed cancer.

Laura said: “In the space of just a few months I went from the joy of celebrating the birth of our daughter with all the special people in my life to hours in a hospital ward.

“It’s vital to raise awareness so women know that if they find a lump in their breast during breastfeeding their baby it is essential to get it checked out.”

Laura’s husband Brian who turned 50 last October also completed Race for Life Glasgow in memory of his big brother Alasdair Eggo who died from lung cancer aged 51 in December 2023.

Race for Life Glasgow included 15 members of the Strathaven Superhoopers who power hooped their way through the entire 5k course. The group who raised more than £800 support the event every year in memory of fellow hooper Michele Osborne who died from breast cancer in December 2019. Fancy dress costumes included inflatable flamingos and dinosaurs.

Participants were entertained on the course by the Rock Choir and members of the ScottishPower pipe band. And 16 youngsters from Police Scotland Youth Volunteers were at the finish line giving out medals.