Chislehurst cancer survivor to celebrate 30 years of Race for Life

Lin Limbrey, 55, was first diagnosed with adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC) in 2004, a cancer that grows on the outer layer of the adrenal gland.

Lin first noticed something was wrong when she suddenly developed a "slight tummy" which prompted her to go to the doctors.

She had raised blood pressure, showed no other symptoms.

Lin was then diagnosed two weeks later, and was told that the tumour was doubling in size every 30 days and had grown into her liver.

She had surgery to remove the tumour, along with her right adrenal gland, two-thirds of her liver, some lymph nodes, part of her diaphragm and vena cava, and a large vein that carries blood to the heart.

The mum-of-two said: “I was lucky the tumour hadn’t grown into my kidney.

“But it was an eight-hour operation - it took me around six months to recover.

"My children were only five and three at the time.”

After starting to get her life back on track, in 2018 that Lin started to experience chest pains and began coughing up blood, when she was diagnosed with a lung tumour.

Chemotherapy tablets Mitotane were effective, despite six months of initial sickness and the discovery of further tumours, which were all removed by surgery.

In 2020, Lin started further chemo at Guy's Hospital where she was given three drugs: etoposide, doxorubin and cisplatin - Cancer Research developed two of the three drugs.

Lin will remain on Mitotane among other medicines indefinitely and will have three-monthly CT and PET scans.

Lin describes having “infections, slow healing, lung collapses and a heamatoma in my tummy."

She added: “I have good days and bad days, although I managed to go to London and queue for 13 hours to see the Queen lying in state, despite unknowingly having fractured my sternum two days earlier.

“Today I enjoy a wonderful life filled with love and laughter.

"Whilst I may tire more quickly and don’t do quite as much as I used to, I have a full quality of life, which I embrace.”

Lin and her family have raised more than £24,000 for Cancer Research in the past two years, and she even completed a 200-mile cycle challenge just three months after completing chemo.

She says the 200-mile challenge took her until September rather than completing in June, but she was one of the top fundraisers, bringing in £3,695.

She added: "I was very proud of this achievement, as I found it extremely challenging, given my fitness level.”

Lin is supported by her husband Dominic and two children, Josh, 23 and Charlotte, 21, who all shaved their heads as she went through chemo.

Lin took part in Race for Life and the Walk 100 miles challenge in 2022 and did Race for Life again this year.

She is also volunteering at this year’s Race for Life Hyde Park event.

Lin said: “I want as many people as possible to be aware of the amazing work carried out by Cancer Research UK, because I am convinced scientists and researchers will eventually find a cure for this terrible disease.

“For example, I understand that Mitotane is now prescribed to all patients with ACC as a matter of course, despite the horrible side effects, as scientists have worked out how it can be used effectively to treat this particular type of cancer.

“Without the development of the medicines and treatments available today, my life could have been very different. That’s why I’m proud to support Race for Life.”

Mr Motivator, real name Derrick Errol Evans, is a race for life supporter.

He said: “With multiple people close to me being affected by cancer, I’m proud to be playing my part in raising money for life-saving research.

“I led a warm-up at one of the first Race for Life events in the 90s, so this feels very nostalgic and celebrating this special occasion is an absolute joy.”

TV presenter Anthea Turner, who is also part of the campaign, said: “Cancer can impact anyone’s life and like many other people, I’ve felt its effects.

“Losing two friends to breast cancer within weeks of each other was a real reminder that life is short, so I’m encouraging everyone to dust off their 90s gear and get in the community spirit for a brilliant cause which will be remembered for years to come.”

Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for London said: “We’ve seen survival rates in the UK double in the last forty years thanks to the tireless efforts of researchers, but this can only happen with the continued support of fundraisers up and down the country.    “Together we can bring about a future free from the fear of cancer. So we’re asking Londoners: Who will you Race for?”

Race for Life events in London:   

Battersea Park: 7 June – 5k event.

Blackheath: 25 June – 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy, Pretty Muddy Kids.

Crystal Palace: 15 July – 3k, 5k, 10k.

Richmond: 25 June – 3k, 5k.

Croydon: 2 July – 3k, 5k, 10k.

Hyde Park - July 23 – 5k and 10k.

Kingston & Kempton Park: 1 July – 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy, Pretty Muddy Kids.

Epsom: 18 June – 3k, 5k, 10k.