I'm doing the Castle Howard 10k run because I want to raise money for cancer research. My dad died of liver cancer aged 62 and my mum was 61 when she died, undergoing treatment for a brain tumour. So at the age of only 36 I became the "older generation" in my family as a result of cancer. I really miss both my parents, Dad was an eccentric gentleman and Mum was like my best friend. They were both relatively young when they died and had a lot of living left to do - if only cancer hadn't struck them down. The missing grandparent relationship is also a major loss for my daughter. It doesn't take a genius to work out that experiencing the death of a close relative through cancer is a tough call and going through it twice is just, well - really unlucky! But I think because of what I've been through I've learned to make the most of life. I'm a much more positive person now and more laid back, I try not to get down over trivial things and I really treasure the relationships I still have with other family members. I try not to take anyone for granted anymore and I certainly don't take my own good health for granted either! On a lighter note, I've also learned to live more, I've travelled a lot, taken up horse riding and snowboarding and been able to share these pleasures with my family. My philosophy in life now is live it to the full because you don't know what's just around the corner and you never know when your number might be up! I know running the 10K won't bring Mum and Dad back, but the money I raise will go a small way towards medical research that in the future will hopefully protect my daughter's children and grandchildren from having to live through the experience of cancer. I also have a close friend who's been living with the disease for a number of years, she is such an inspiration! It's nice to think that doing something like just taking part in a run, will go towards helping people like her. Jane Roberts | 
