Cancer survivor Alyssa guest of honour at Race for Life

A youngster who has battled leukaemia is rallying women to join the fight against the disease by entering Cancer Research UK's Race for Life.
Angela Davies is taking part in Race for Life with her daughters ten-year-old Alyssa Davies (left) and seven-year-old Lauren DaviesAngela Davies is taking part in Race for Life with her daughters ten-year-old Alyssa Davies (left) and seven-year-old Lauren Davies
Angela Davies is taking part in Race for Life with her daughters ten-year-old Alyssa Davies (left) and seven-year-old Lauren Davies

Alyssa Davies, will be guest of honour at the 5k, 10k or Pretty Muddy events at Moor Park, Preston, over the weekend of Saturday June 17 and Sunday June 18.The Wrea Green Primary School pupil was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in March 2014. She had been poorly, suffering from extreme fatigue, swollen eyelids and backache. Doctors initially suggested she may have tonsillitis or mumps, but when her symptoms continued, mum Angela Davies took her back to the GP as she feared it could be something more serious.The 10-year-old was eventually referred to Preston Royal Hospital where doctors immediately suspected leukaemia. She needed a platelet transfusion before being transferred to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital where the leukaemia diagnosis was confirmed. She spent the next four weeks receiving intense chemotherapy treatment.Angela had to stop her work as an accounts clerk to be with Alyssa full time at hospital while husband Michael, 46, also took off time off work initially. He then continued to work with both sets of grandparents pitching in to look after Alyssa’s younger sister Lauren, seven.Alyssa, who lost her beautiful long hair due to the chemotherapy, amazed everyone with her “get on with it” attitude and made her parents incredibly proud.Even in the darkest of days, she continued to attend school as often as possible. Following the intense bout of chemotherapy, Alyssa, of Wrea Green, continued to receive maintenance treatment for 18 months.She will be celebrating one year clear of cancer treatment when she takes part in Race for Life with her mum in June. The day will be incredibly poignant for the family as it will be Father’s Day and Alyssa recently lost her grandfather Eddie Davies to cancer.Mum Angela,44, said: “After everything Alyssa has been through and after losing her grandfather to the disease, we are absolutely determined to help others by raising money so Cancer Research UK can ensure even more people survive. We are urging women in Preston to join us on the starting line at Race for Life because every participant and every penny counts.”Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring women-only series of 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Marathon events which raises millions of pounds every year to find new ways to tackle cancer.Money raised through Race for Life helps to make long-term research and pioneering trials possible, leading to new tests, kinder treatments and cures, which could save the lives of more people across the North West.Sign up for Race for Life now at http://www.raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.