Claire To Do Something She’S Never Done Before
A woman, who was diagnosed with breast cancer a decade after she agreed to be a poster girl in a campaign encouraging gay women to check their breasts for lumps, will take on this year's Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run.
In 2003, when she was Director of Manchester EuroPride and Manchester Pride, Claire Turner, now 48, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, was photographed in a spoof version of the early Wonderbra adverts as part of a lesbian breast cancer awareness campaign. Assuming the images would only be used around the Gay Village in the city, she was initially shocked to see herself on billboards and buses across Manchester.
After realising the impact the campaign was having, Claire became conscious of checking her breasts regularly, and in November 2013, found a lump in her breast which was discovered to be Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS), an early form of Breast Cancer known as Stage 0.
Claire's annual mammograms were clear for three years, but she had a nagging feeling that there was something wrong in the same breast. After attending an early scan, Claire was dealt the tough news that she had Lobular Invasive Breast Cancer Stage 2.
She underwent a mastectomy and immediate reconstruction in January 2018.
Looking back on her experience, Claire said: “Being diagnosed with breast cancer is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. It's made me take care of myself in a way that I never have before.
“It's changed my relationships with my family, my partner and my friends, for the better. And I feel like I've got something to say for other women and knowledge to share, which will hopefully do some good.
“I've also massively changed my life; reducing stress, losing two stone, eating much healthier and viewing life in a very different light.”
This year, Claire will feature in a new film alongside other runners and well-known Manchester faces showcasing the inspirational poem, Do Something, by Tony Walsh, aka Longfella.
Written by Longfella specifically for the Great Manchester Run, the poem embodies the universal feelings of ambition, motivation and celebration experienced by those who take on the running challenge; and the new film sees Longfella's poignant words being spoken by actors, influencers and real runners who connect to them.
Claire, who will run her first ever 10k at the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run on Sunday 19 May, fittingly takes on the first line of the poem.
“Do something to show them what you're made of…
Do something you've never done before.”
She said: “Running a 10k is something I've never done before so the poem really relates to me and my experience. It's also about showing myself what i'm made of, as well as other people. It's a real honour to be saying the opening lines.”
Running to raise money for Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance and the Nightingale Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital, Claire continued: “Lobular is the second most popular type of breast cancer that woman have; but because only 10-15% of women have lobular breast cancer, all the research around treatment is based around ductal breast cancer.
“It is very different and much harder to find on scans than ductal breast cancer, as it grows in long thin spiders' web-style tumours and rarely forms a lump.
“My experience has been amazing at the Nightingale Centre. And I think what really drives me through is that I really want to do it to raise awareness around lobular breast cancer.
“I'm really looking forward to the run too as Manchester is the place I've lived in the longest and has a lot of special memories for me.
“Achieving this goal and showing that something positive can come from a cancer diagnosis is really important. It's also a way to say a huge thank you to the amazing professionals who have treated me and the other women and men with cancer who have supported me along the way too.”
Do something to show them what you're made of and enter the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run
Related Articles
1/11
Groundbreaking Joint Venture for Future of Athletics in the UK
UK Athletics (UKA), The Great Run Company (GRC) and London Marathon Events (LME) today announced the creation of a new joint venture, Athletic Ventures.
Doting Brothers Set to Race in Memory of Baby Sister
Two loving brothers from Newcastle-Under-Lyme are limbering up to take on the AJ Bell Junior and Mini Great Birmingham Run in memory of their little sister.
Great Birmingham Run scores a hat-trick!
With a month to go before the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run, the three football clubs are encouraging fans to run for their community foundations.
Arup are up for the challenge on Sunday 5 May
39 runners from engineering giant Arup are taking on the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run Business Challenge.
Taking it in Their Stride in Memory of a Friend
One team of Great Birmingham Run runners is gearing up for a challenge that goes beyond the miles they'll pound on the pavement.
10 Reasons you should run the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run
As we countdown to event day on 5 May, we spell out 10 reasons why you should get involved and (if you haven’t already!) sign up.
Emon’s expert tips for training during Ramadan
A reality TV star who ran back to back marathons while fasting during Ramadan is now aiming to inspire his fellow Muslim runners.
Power of Running: Andrew Porter
Andrew Porter, 47, has ran every Great Manchester Run 10k since it started in 2003. Read Andrew's story.
Power of Running: Halee Robinson
After falling out of love with running Halee signed up for the Great Birmingham Run and hasn't looked back. Read Halee's story.
Power of Running: Helen Ryvar
Helen Ryvar is the Guinness World Record Holder for running the most consecutive half marathons, hitting 111 back in 2021. Read Helen's story.
Power of Running: Holly Tilt
Holly Tilt is making her comeback one year after sustaining a serious head injury. Read Holly's story.
