By Josie Lloyd
In Josie Lloyd’s novel, when Keira first receives her breast cancer diagnosis, she doesn’t want to have to tell her family, or step back from work. She doesn’t want to sit in a hospital, or be part of a group of fellow cancer patients. Cancer is not her club.
But as she accepts that her health is no longer something she can rely on, Keira finds herself embracing running. And running in the company of a group of brilliant, funny women each going through treatment unexpectedly gives Keira the hope she needs.
Because the C-word is not going to define Keira’s identity. And with the Cancer Ladies’ Running Club cheering her on, she’s going to reclaim her life.
One step at a time.
This is not just any novel, because the author is writing from her personal experience of being diagnosed with cancer. Through this very readable story, she shares how taking part in a 10k challenge helped her to get through cancer. In an article in the Times published on September 25th, she writes:
“I never set out to be any kind of an evangelist for running. But then, after I was diagnosed with breast cancer 4 years ago – running and a group of women who ran with me – ended up being little short of a life-saver for me. That act of getting out in the fresh air with a group of women going through experiences similar to mine was what kept me not only physically fit…….but mentally strong too”
Both the novel and the article are full of helpful information, whether you are going through treatment or trying to find your way through the new normal which arrives when treatment ends.
Here is the link to the Times article. – ‘My 10k challenge gave me the strength to get through cancer’
