Helen thanks the Race for Life for giving her courage

Within a year she had temporarily lost her eyesight and been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, Crohns Disease and breast cancer.

But now she is fighting back and wants to thanks those who helped her through her darkest days.

Helen’s lost her eyesight temporarily after contracting a parasite from eating a lettuce leaf in India.

The following year she was diagnosed with Crohns Disease due to prolonged infection she had contracted which also led to the temporary loss of her legs.

In February 2014, Helen was then diagnosed with MS, again triggered by the parasite.

Then four months later, on her 34th birthday, Helen was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Helen underwent surgery and admits she was at her lowest point.

She had been through so much and faced another battle.

However, she found strength when she saw an army of women dressed in pink.

Helen said: “The day of Race for Life in 2014, I was walking round to the shop.

“I had the surgery four days earlier and I was scared, I felt rubbish and I was in a really dark place.

“I saw these women walking towards me in the pink and I thought why am I feeling so sorry for myself? I am going to beat this.

“Up until then I couldn’t see a future for me. I saw them and started crying because I couldn’t join them and I didn’t know if I’d be able to again.

“I gave myself a kick up the bum and after that I was on a mission. I didn’t get scared any more and I fought cancer with a smile on my face.”

Helen added: “I want them to know that it wasn’t just raising money they were doing that day, they were not just running a race, it was showing that they are there for you.

“They felt like my personal pink army. It’s that feeling of spirit. It was such a moment, I still feel emotional remembering it.

“They didn’t realise seeing so many of them together gave me hope.

“They gave me the strength to really push myself through it. I want to say thank you, I want them to know it.”

On November 5, Helen, 35, who lives in Stanway, began her treatment including chemotherapy.

She said: “I felt awful but I was determined to go to Castle Park and see the fireworks. I collapsed afterwards.”

Helen underwent six rounds of chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy which began in March last year which lasted for four weeks.

Five weeks after completing her treatment, Helen took part in Pretty Muddy in Ipswich.

In July, she will be taking part in the Race for Life in Castle Park, Colchester, on July 10. She will speak to the runners from the stage before the race, thanking them personally for giving her the inspiration and determination she needed to fight back against the disease.

Helen also urged anyone thinking of taking part to sign up.

Helen has new hope now including looking forward to getting married.

She said: “Shortly after I finished my treatment I met John, my fiancé, and we are engaged to get married next year.

“We met up three months after I’d finished my radiotherapy and I was nervous about meeting anyone and had hardly any hair.

“He saw through all of that and saw the real me.

“He is my reward for everything I’ve been through, he is my prize!”

Helen is now in remission from cancer and her MS is being controlled by disease modifying drugs.

Leander Platten, Cancer Research UK’s East events manager, said: “Helen’s story shows just how important the pink army is.

“It’s not just about raising money for vital research but it’s also about supporting people through their treatment.

“We hope as many women as possible will rope-in their friends and family and help swell the ranks of Race for Life’s pink army this year.

“You can take on one of our much loved 5k and 10k events or try Pretty Muddy with lashings of mud, sweat and cheers. Race for Life events are not competitive. It’s about the power and strength of people coming together in a show of defiance against cancer.”

Last year, 18,151 women took part in Race for Life in Essex and raised £1,184,193.

Anyone wanting to sign up for the Race for Life in Colchester can do so at raceforlife.org.