Are you ready for Burnley’s Race For Life?

Colette Pirie’s husband Russell was diagnosed with the disease eight years ago. She will take part in the event at 11am on Sunday in Towneley Park with her friend Jane Devanney along with hundreds of other Burnley women who will walk, run or jog the 5km course.

Colette (35), who lives in the Rosegrove with Lowerhouse area, said: “When I got together with Russell he was just recovering from cancer – it had been a terrible time for him, but we are very lucky that he has come out the other side.”

Russell was just 29 when he was first diagnosed with testicular cancer, at the same time his dad was in the final stages of lung cancer.

Russell had already lost his mum to cancer when he was 17. It was November 2004 when Russell, now 37, first found a lump on his testicle. Reluctant to go to the doctors he eventually made a visit to his GP early in 2005.

He was sent for tests at the King Edwards Hospital in Windsor, where he was living at the time and received the devastating news that he had testicular cancer. He then underwent surgery to have both of his testicles removed before starting chemotherapy treatment.

He has now made a full recovery and continues to go for annual check-ups.

Colette, who is mum to Jake (14) and step-mum to Freddy (5) is hoping that one day she and Russell will have their own child together.

Colette added: “I’m really looking forward to taking part in Race for Life –I’m so grateful for the research that has helped Russell beat his battle with cancer and now I want to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK.”