A CANCER survivor who lost both her parents to the disease has been chosen to launch Blackburn's Race for Life.

Helen Ashwell, 44, of Helmshore, will be the 'guest of honour' at the event in Witton Park next Wednesday.

Last year around 3,000 women took part, raising £80,000 for Cancer Research UK.

This year the fundraising target has bee set at £97,000, and there are two events - one at 1.30pm and the other at 7.3pm - to help more people take part.

Helen will be joined by her two daughters, Jessica, 18 and Megan, 13, after being diagnosed with breast cancer in November.

After successful surgery and radiotherapy treatment, Helen is now encouraging East Lancashire women to support the fight against the disease.

Helen, a school nurse in Bury, lost her dad, David Mackerill to lung cancer in 2007, aged 67 and her mum Jennifer Mackerill also 67, to oesophageal cancer a year later.

She said: “It has been an extremely difficult few years for our family, but particularly my two daughters.

“Losing both parents to cancer devastated the whole family and never for one moment thought that I would also be diagnosed with the disease.

“I had noticed a lump which I just happened to mention in passing whilst seeing my GP about something else and I ended up being referred to North Manchester Hospital for tests.

“It’s vital that research continues to give people like me a chance in the future and that is why I would urge all women to think about signing-up for Race for Life and raising as much cash as possible for Cancer Research UK.”

Cancer Research UK Race for Life Event Manager, Trudy Stammer, said: “We are honoured to have Helen as our special guest of honour at the Race for Life event in Blackburn.

“We hope the women taking part will think about what Helen and her family have been through and help us raise as much money as possible for Cancer Research UK.”

To enter the Race for Life call 0871 641 1111.