BBC presenter Clare Runacres was overcome with emotion upon hearing about a potential breakthrough in skin cancer treatment. At the age of 20, Clare was diagnosed with stage-two melanoma and underwent surgery to remove the tumor. However, she was told that there were no available treatments to prevent the cancer from spreading. Years later, the disease returned and she required further surgical intervention. When she learned about the promising vaccine trials being conducted by the University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) that could enhance survival rates and prevent the re-emergence of the condition, Clare admitted to shedding tears of hope.
“Living in the shadow of cancer is hard,” she tweeted. “But days like today give me such hope. I read this article with tears in my eyes. I have spent so long trying to ward off the spread of my cancer, leading a quiet and careful life, balancing diet, exercise, sleep and stress, striving to live positively.” Clare expressed her gratitude to medical researchers and doctors, calling them her heroes.
Clare and her husband Mike celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary last year, despite the ongoing battle with cancer. Reflecting on their wedding day, Clare shared that it was a beautiful day filled with love and tears. They put their fears aside and danced until dawn, cherishing every moment. Looking back at the photos from that day still evokes raw emotions for Clare.
In an honest and heartfelt piece for MailOnline, Clare recounted how in the early years of their marriage, they lived in the moment, not knowing what the future held. It was a liberating experience, and every milestone they achieved felt like an accomplishment. However, she also revealed that while planning her wedding, she was also mentally preparing for her funeral.
Through it all, Clare measured her wellness based on the milestones her children reached, finding magic in each one. She expressed her gratitude to those who work tirelessly to advance medicine, recognizing them as lifelines for many people.
