Falkirk sisters to remember mum with fundraising walk

Lara Carroll and her sister Emma have organised a ‘Walk in her Name’ event on March 31 in memory of their mum, Julliette, and to raise funds 
for Ovarian Cancer Action.

The ladies will walk 5K to honour Julliette, who was a checkout operator at Tesco in Central Retail Park for a number of years.

The sisters had previously organised a charity fundraiser for Ovarian Cancer Action and Breast Cancer Now at the Auld Vic back in November.

News of their latest fundraiser comes as figures released today (Thursday) to mark the start of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, show that each year ovarian cancer steals 8496 years from women in Scotland who die before their time.

Julliette had been misdiagnosed for months and was suffering with all the common symptoms of the cancer.

Lara (30) explained: “Mum was our best friend.

“We did everything together – shopkeepers used to joke how we were never seen apart.

“She was just 66 when she died, far too young to go.

“After her treatment she was in remission, so us girls went to New York to shop our hearts out.

“I’m so glad we did because, not long after, her ovarian cancer had returned and the doctors said there was nothing more they could do.

“She was an amazing mum, granny and wife to our wonderful dad for 37 years.

“It breaks my heart she won’t be there to see her grandchildren grow up and to do all the things her and my dad planned for their retirement.

“Ovarian cancer is horrible.

“It’s hard to treat and likes to come back, which is why I’m determined to raise money for Ovarian Cancer Action.

“If we don’t fund research, ovarian cancer will keep taking lives – and I refuse to let that happen.”

Katherine Taylor, chief executive of Ovarian Cancer Action, said: “When a woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer, the odds are stacked against her.

“Recurrence is high and survival rates are poor; no woman should live in fear of either.

“There is currently no screening tool for ovarian cancer and we want to change that.

“Our scientists want to develop a screening tool that will detect pre-cancerous cells that can be treated before they develop into ovarian cancer.

To sponsor Lara and her family’s fundraising, click here.

To find out more about Ovarian Cancer Action visit their website here.