A GP at Bow Medical Practice has been inspired to take part in this month’s Virgin London Marathon by her friend, Petrina Trueman, who is battling secondary breast cancer.

In early January Susan Taheri found out that she had been picked by Breast Cancer Care for one of their 30 charity places in this year’s Virgin London Marathon out of some 1,400 applicants.

Susan has some running experience, having completed a marathon in 2011 as well as a few half marathons, the last of which was the Great West Run in Exeter in 2013.

Susan said she mostly runs shorter distances for fitness and stress relief and was now “simultaneously excited and terrified!”

She added: “The marathon will take place on Sunday, April 24 and with only weeks to go I have my work cut out both in terms of training and raising money for this hugely deserving cause.

“I was inspired to apply to run for Breast Cancer Care by a friend and former colleague who has found their support invaluable as she continues her own battle with secondary breast cancer.

“BCC want every individual diagnosed with breast cancer to get the best treatment, information and support and are the only UK wide charity providing this.

“Their aim is to be there ‘from day one’ using their understanding of the emotional and practical issues facing people affected by breast cancer alongside clinical expertise.”

Petrina said that after fighting her way through primary breast cancer in 2014, getting a secondary breast cancer diagnosis the following year was “crushing”, but BCC had helped her and her partner a lot.

She said: “I got to go to one of their Young Women with Secondaries conferences last year in Manchester.

“I learned a great deal about dealing with symptoms, relationship issues, relaxation techniques, you name it.

“There were counsellors on-hand if any of us wanted one-to-one help.

“I came away feeling so much stronger! They managed to make it a treat too, like a girls’ weekend in a posh hotel – the BCC ladies looked after us all beautifully.

“When I was first diagnosed I was given a fantastic file with all kinds of information by the team at the hospital, which was produced by BCC.

“It is like having an expert on tap 24/7. Their website is full of useful, sensible information, too.

“My dad’s always Googling things – I told him not to look anywhere else because there is so much scary and inaccurate information on the internet.”

Anyone wishing to support Susan can do so through her JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/SusanandPetrina/ or if they prefer, in person, by completing a sponsorship form at the surgery in Bow.

There will also be a chance to guess the time she finishes with a prize for the person who comes closest!

The Virgin London Marathon will take place on Sunday, April 24 and the route is 26.2 miles long.

Alan Quick