(From the Sydney Mum archive, originally published 2010.)

Angie Stevenson is on the run again. It’s her second year in a row. This time she’ll complete a 9km half marathon. Why? Because 43,000 Australians are expected to die this year from some form of cancer and she’s determined to do something about it. Of course she’s not alone. On September 19 there will be hundreds of others dressed in Can Too colours participating in BLACKMORES SYDNEY RUNNING FESTIVAL. Each of them will have raised significant dollars for cancer research and each of them has a story to tell. For Angie it is that one of her oldest friends recently died of melanoma. “He was only 35 and had two young children”, explained Angie, “it was a real shock for me. I also have two family friends currently battling cancer”. Along with being focussed on her fundraising goal of $10,000, she’s also been volunteering for Can Too, a non profit organisation raising funds for cancer research. “I really believe in what they are doing. It is a great organisation run by and populated by the most amazing array of people. All ages, all shapes and sizes. It’s been a hugely positive and supporting experience”. Unfortunately cancer affects everyone directly or indirectly at some point. Here a few sobering facts from the Cancer Council of Australia: Cancer is a leading cause of death in Australia. An estimated 115,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year and 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85. Here’s a thought Angie left me with the other day: Imagine a Cure for Cancer.