Ayrshire cancer patient to take part in Off the Beatson Track

A cancer patient from Ayrshire is taking part in Beatson Cancer Charity’s annual 10k walk to raise funds for future patients and their families. 

43-year old Lisa Adam will be participating in Off the Beatson Track, which takes place on Sunday 28th August in Glasgow’s west end. The event usually attracts around 2,000 supporters each year.  

Her 5-year old son and husband will be joining her on the walk, which she’s already raised over £900 for. 

Lisa, from North Ayrshire, is currently going through treatment, 17 years on since her previous cancer diagnosis. 

She said: “I had nearly 15 years of being cancer-free and just living a normal life. 

“I walked away after five years and my doctor told me ‘You’re now, Lisa, as much at risk of another cancer as anybody else – so don’t think about it. Go away, enjoy your time, all is good’.” 

Lisa was previously diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2005 and was diagnosed again in 2020 with a form of gynaecological cancer. Lisa is a primary school teacher but hasn’t been able to work recently due to her diagnosis. 

Lisa said: “I ended up being admitted to the Beatson towards the end of October last year and unfortunately at that point they couldn’t operate because if they didn’t get it all, I would have been too poorly to undergo chemo or radiation and the doctors weren’t confident more chemo or radiotherapy at that stage would work.  

“My mobility has been terrible and I got to March this year and my son had asked for a puppy, so I said let’s get a puppy. Because of the dog, I am going out a bit more now. I need to start being a wee bit more active though.” 

Lisa’s family have strong connections to the Beatson. Her brother and dad helped build the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, while her cousin was a nurse in the hospital. Her dad was also diagnosed with a blood condition called TTP in 2013 and was treated in the Beatson. Her brother has promised to double what Lisa fundraises on the lead up to taking part in Off the Beatson Track.  

She says she wants to do the walk to give back following the support and treatment she has received. 

Lisa said: “I can’t thank Beatson Cancer Charity enough – the volunteers who come round and give somebody a cup of tea and a biscuit and chat to them... The ladies who come down and do reflexology on the patients. 

“When you’re sitting in the chair hooked up and somebody comes along and does something like that, you don’t understand how that feels... they’re just great, they’re fabulous. 

“There’s also the Wellbeing Centre up on the fourth floor that you can go to, I’m so pleased that it’s opened back up to inpatients after covid and hopefully outpatients and families will be able to make use of those facilities soon.  

“I was fortunate enough when my dad was in years ago, I got to go there and it was fabulous.” 

Lisa says she wants to be a part of the positive change for cancer patients in the future. 

She said: “I want to be part of the huge team of people that tried to make an effort for the next person and the next person. 

“Life’s hard enough without having something like cancer. It’s not just that person – it's their family. It’s my family.” 

Find out more or sign up and take part in Off the Beatson Track on Sunday 28th August 2022 here.