A DEVOTED daughter who lost her mum to cancer is taking part in Race for Life in her name.

Keri Truesdale, a 24-year-old bookmaker from Westhoughton, lost her mum Janice Truesdale in 2012.

Ms Truesdale , who is mum to two-year-old Charlie, said: “It was a terrible shock when mum was diagnosed.”

Her mum became unwell in 2011 with flu-like symptoms and went to see her GP who said it was probably a persistent cold.

Just weeks later, Mrs Truesdale began to suffer back pains and again visited the GP.

She was offered physiotherapy, but when the pain increased she was referred for tests to the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Scans revealed Mrs Truesdale had a large tumour on her colon, which doctors believed had been there for between five and 10 years.

The cancer had also spread to her liver.

Ms Truesdale and her brother Jack, aged 21, were given the devastating news their mother’s cancer was treatable, but not curable.

She said: “We were completely devastated. But mum was really brave throughout and we all remained positive.”

Mrs Truesdale was referred to The Christie for chemotherapy where she took part in a drugs trial in the hope it would help her and others in the future.

Despite treatment, she became increasingly unwell and in July 2012 she lost her battle aged 56.

Ms Truesdale said: “We did Race for Life for the first time last year and it was very emotional, especially when they played a Take That song in the warm-up, as that was one of mum’s favourite bands and we had gone to see them in concert a few times together.

“Taking part in Race for Life is my way of fighting back against cancer for taking my mum. Both myself and my brother miss her every day. That’s why I want women in the North West to join me, because united we are stronger than this terrible disease.”

She will be taking part in Race for Life in Southport where her aunt lives. But a Race for Life event will also be held at Leverhulme Park on Sunday July 6.

Carrie Murphy, Cancer Research UK’s Bolton events manager, said: “We’re calling on an army of feisty females to help us stop cancer in its tracks. Race for Life events are not competitive. Instead, they are an amazing way to celebrate life but also remember those who have been lost to the disease.”

This year, organisers need 1,800 women and girls to stride out in Bolton to help raise £105,000.

To enter Race for Life’s 5k, 10k or Pretty Muddy events in the North West visit www.raceforlife.org or call 0845 600 6050.