A GRANDMOTHER who has overcome two different types of cancer has been chosen to help launch World Cancer Day.
Margaret Duffy from Glasgow is urging people to wear a Unity band on Tuesday to show solidarity with those around the globe who are affected by the disease.
She will be watching as the ScottishPower headquarters in Glasgow where her daughter Marise Nelson works are lit up in pink and blue in support of all those with cancer, in memory of loved ones and to mark the partnership between the energy company and Cancer Research UK.
Duffy, 78, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2009 and endured almost three years of treatment.
The retired English teacher suffered another blow in the summer of 2018 when she discovered a lump in her right breast and was told she had breast cancer.
She completed her treatment last month.
The grandmother-of-nine said she is still here today due to research into the disease and urged people to support World Cancer Day.
She said: "Almost a miracle, that's what it felt like when a scan showed that I was finally clear of ovarian cancer.
"The ovarian tumour had been 5cm in size when it was diagnosed and I had chemotherapy, surgery then when the cancer came back twice more chemotherapy.
"I have a wonderful family, kind and supportive friends but it felt frightening."
She added: "My love of life kept me going and it wasn't until years later when I was told I had breast cancer that for the first time I actually thought I might die from cancer.
"Now I'm through cancer again I feel like I've been given a second chance. It's thanks to research I'm still here today.
"I want everyone across Scotland to show their support on World Cancer Day and help Cancer Research UK to tackle this devastating disease.
"Just by wearing a Unity Band we can all make a real difference to people with cancer."
ScottishPower has raised more than £25 million for Cancer Research UK through a variety of initiatives and events.
Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK spokeswoman for Scotland, said: "We'd like to thank Margaret, Marise and family for their support and for showing how important it is for everyone to wear a Unity Band on World Cancer Day.
"Our research has played a role in developing eight of the world's top 10 cancer drugs and we're working every day to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease. But we can't do it alone.
"We are so grateful to ScottishPower who have raised over £25 million for Cancer Research UK."
Meanwhile, Scotland-based charity Worldwide Cancer Research has announced the first research project to receive its financial backing for 2020.
It is awarding £233,500 to a project by Dr Maite Huarte, based in Spain, that aims to identify new ways to treat drug-resistant bowel cancer - one of the most common cancers worldwide and the third most common cancer in Scotland today.
Since it was founded in 1979 the charity has invested £200 million into cancer research worldwide, funding 2,000 projects across the globe.
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