Standing side-by-side, four remarkable women share a bond that ties them together and shapes their lives.

Each has been left with physical scars in their fight against cancer.

The wounds are a permanent reminder of their battle with an illness that kills over 177,000 people in the UK each year.

But for each of the women, the scars are not a reason to hide away.

They are a reason to stand tall. And they are a reason to celebrate.

Celebrate not what they have lost, but what they have gained – a second chance at life.

These ­inspirational women, helping promote Cancer Research UK Race for Life fundraisers, have also all been treated by the NHS – as it celebrates 70 years.

Here are their amazing stories.

Tasha

Tasha Jilka - 10 store dress, body flirt shoes, konplott jewellery (
Image:
Roland Leon/Sunday Mirror)

Conveyancy worker Tasha Jilka, 26, was diagnosed in 2010 with a rare facial cancer, olfactory neuroblastoma, when a tumour was discovered behind her left eye.

Tasha, from Leicester, explained: “Surgeons had to cut from my ear to my eye to remove the tumour. At one point my eyelids were so swollen I could only see the world through slits in them. I also had radiotherapy, which doctors told me in late 2010 had destroyed the cancer, but the skin tissue was left damaged around my nose, causing it to collapse.

“I had to wait two years to have my nose reconstructed while it all healed. The pain was so bad, there was even a time I wished I was dead.

“When I looked in the mirror and didn’t recognise myself, it was very hard to take. Cancer also robbed me of my sense of smell. If I ever have children I will never know that lovely new baby smell.

“But I know now that I need to live my life fully in memory of all the people who have suffered cancer.

“I want to do it for me, and for them, because I have been given a second chance. We went to Dubai for my mum’s 50th in 2015 and that has inspired me. What motivates me is all the things I want to achieve.

“I realised there are so many beautiful places to visit – like Hawaii, temples in Thailand – and I’m saving up to make those dreams come true.”

Charlotte and Rose

Charlotte Turpie - asos dress, body flirt heels, Nu & MII bracelet (
Image:
Roland Leon/Sunday Mirror)

Twins Charlotte and Rose Turpie lost their parents to cancer and had double mastectomies when they discovered they were carrying a timebomb gene.

BRCA2 increases the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers and the sisters, 29, decided to take no chances.

Veterinary nurse Charlotte, from Belper, Derbys, said: “We were just three when our mum, Sally, was told she had breast cancer. She lived another seven years but died when she was 39.

“We were only 10. But the longer I live without her, the harder certain times are. She won’t be there for my wedding, nor birthdays. But out of something so difficult came something positive.

We’ve wondered why she had breast cancer at such a young age. But a year before her death experts discovered the BRCA2 gene mutation and they could identify what took her so young. Doctors told us we should get tested and we both came back as being positive.”

Sales co-ordinator Rose, who lives in the Peak District village of Chinley, said: “That’s when we decided to have our breasts removed, in 2016. We had initial surgery days apart. Charlotte was at the Derby Royal and I was at Wythenshawe Hospital.

“I had breast tissue removed and implants straight away. Charlotte had a mastectomy and had implants a year later.

“We both really struggled afterwards with body confidence.

Rose Turpie - Asos dress, peacocks heels, konplott jewellery (
Image:
Roland Leon/Sunday Mirror)

“But then our dad, Paul, died. He was diagnosed with lung cancer and was gone less than two weeks after our surgeries.

“It was hell. I can’t describe how dark a place it was to be in.

“That is why we are trying to change our futures. I’m proud to show my scars. They give people hope. They don’t define you.

“I’m now more body confident than ever. I spend a lot of time in the gym as it’s a great way to stay positive and helps me feel more confident about the way I look.

“One of the best moments was standing side-by-side with my sister when we went to a charity ball in November 2017. I felt lovely in a ball gown and it was special to be able to share that with her.”

Charlotte added: “That was the first time I’d worn a revealing dress. Rose dressed me and the criss-cross design across my boobs was something I’d never have worn before my surgery.

“But I felt empowered and took confidence from being with my sister. It was wonderful to be able to share that after everything.”

Maxine

Maxine Turley - phase eight dress, public desire heels, M&S necklace (
Image:
Roland Leon/Sunday Mirror)

Mum Maxine Turley was diagnosed with rare rhabdomyosarcoma cancer in 1984 – when she was aged just 12.

A lump behind her eye that was thought to be caused by an allergy turned out to cancerous. Radiotherapy destroyed the tissue in her eyes and, 17 years later, she made the difficult decision to have her left eye removed.

Office administrator Maxine, from Poulton-le-Fylde, near Blackpool, is now 46 – and counting her blessings.

She said: “I didn’t know at the time, but I only had a 30 per cent chance of surviving. I missed loads of school.

“My parents, naturally, tried to protect me from the truth.

Charlotte - Godiva dress, body flirt heels, les Georgettes bangle; Tasha - body flirt heels, Joesph ribcoff top, Fenn Wright Manson, Konplott jewellery; Maxine - Next jumpsuit, Lipsy wedges, M&S necklace; and Rosie - Dorothy Perkins jumpsuit, Kurt Geiger heels (
Image:
Roland Leon/Sunday Mirror)

A quarter of a century on and still going strong

This year marks 25 years of Race for Life and in that time over eight million women have participated, raising over £820m for Cancer Research UK.

The money raised at Race for Life has helped put Cancer Research UK at the heart of progress that has seen survival in the UK double in the last forty years.

Maxine, Tasha, Rose and Charlotte have all taken part in Race for Life events, with Tasha and Maxine even doing speeches on the main stages to inspire others with their stories of cancer survival.

There are over 400 Race for Life events running from May to October, including 5k routes, 10k, a half-marathon, hikes and Pretty Muddy; the 5k and 10k obstacle course.

Support your local event to help fund Cancer Research UK’s vital work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancer affecting men, women and children.

“But when two other boys on my ward died I knew the seriousness of the situation.

“Children’s cancer was not as understood back then as it is now so I was blasted with radiotherapy and chemotherapy without much thought for the long-term effects. Check-ups showed I was okay, but then I developed other problems. My eye left me in inexplicable pain and so I made the difficult decision to have it removed in 2011 – on my son Marcel’s first birthday. I was given a prosthetic eye but my eyelid was so damaged by the radiotherapy it could no longer hold it and so it was removed.

“But I am so grateful for what I have. I still have one good eye and to watch Marcel, who’s now seven, and my three-year-old Florentine grow up is absolutely the most important thing in life.

“I am thankful for that every day. The way my eye looks is a testament to what I’ve survived. I beat cancer and I’m still here.”