Race for Life

Photos from the top: (1) Warming up (2) Running for my dear friends (3) My three biggest supporters (4) Crossing the finish line (5) Ivan, Hugo & I

Today I completed my first 5km Race for Life Challenge - I had an amazing time! The event was held at the O2 Dome in Greenwich, the first one ever at the O2 and also the first of the season. There are various events all over the UK during summer time and approximate 730 000 entries are expected in 2010.

Race for Life is an UK cancer research organisation. The aim is to raise as much as possible money to continue the great work doctors and scientists are doing in life-saving research into causes of cancer. In 2009 they raised 65 million pounds. As a five month breast cancer survivor, I know I benefited a great deal from this.

You get a race-number to wear on the front of your shirt and a bright pink card for you back that reads: "I race for life for:....." - well, I did it for my dear friends Magdel and Anneliese. It was quite an emotional morning for me and it touched me deeply that my three greatest fans were there, Andries, Hugo and Ivan. Last week Sunday was the annual London marathon and our church were involved with one of the water stations. Both Hugo and Ivan shouted "hou-bene-hou! hou-bene-hou!" to just about all the runners. Today was no different and my little men were very impressed that mommy completed a "marathon"(we explained it was just a tiny little mini-marathon!).

I also entered one for the 4th of July. A bunch of moms and staff from Hugo's play school are also taking part. This one will be all around the beautiful Greenwich Park. The other one I entered is in Regent's Park - the park right at the cancer clinic where I received my chemo as well as the London Clinic where I was hospitalised for the operation and recovery. Both my doctors work in Harley Street, very close to the park.

As earlier mentioned, today is my five-month-in-remission-anniversary. I feel so blessed and often overwhelmed by the goodness, grace and love bestowed upon us by our Lord and God. I feel so excited and positive about the future!