Lauren from Little Sutton will run for dad fighting cancer

A DEVOTED daughter from Little Sutton whose dad is battling bladder cancer will join thousands of women to take part in Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.

Lauren Shacks, of Little Sutton, will be trying to raise as much money as possible by taking part in the 5km Race for Life, which will be held at Birkenhead Park on July 15.

Lauren’s dad, James Dean, was first diagnosed with cancer of the bladder in 2004.

James, 54, first became unwell when he collapsed at the family home in South Africa.

After undergoing tests he was given the devastating news he had bladder cancer.

Following surgery to remove the tumours on his bladder James was given chemotherapy treatment, followed by radiotherapy.

In 2008 he was given the all-clear – but in February this year, when James was admitted to hospital to have surgery on a slipped disc in his back, it was discovered the cancer had come back – this time on his spine.

James had an operation to replace his crumbled vertebrae and is now undergoing chemotherapy treatment once more to reduce the cancer which has spread to his liver and around the replaced vertebrae and the top of his spine.

Lauren, 21, who has just arrived back in Little Sutton after visiting her dad in South Africa, said: “Cancer has changed my dad’s life forever. He can no longer walk or do any hobbies. It breaks my heart to see him the way he is now – but all we can do is hope.”

Lauren has lived in the UK for the past three years and is mum to Seth, five.

This year she will be doing Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life for the first time.

The family was also affected by the disease in 2002 when Lauren lost her grandmother Marlene Shacks to lung cancer.

She said: “I am doing Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in memory of my grandmother and for my dad who has never given up battling against this cruel disease.

“I am really looking forward to taking part and feel as though it’s a very positive way to help fight cancer, which affects so many of our lives.”

To enter Race for Life, visit www.raceforlife.org or call 0871 641 1111.