Cancer patient to run in memory of twin sister (From Enfield Independent)

Cancer patient to run in memory of twin sister

4:13pm Thursday 14th June 2012 in News By Emma Phippen

A cancer patient is running the Race for Life in Enfield in memory of her identical twin sister.

Susan Best, 59, of St Lawrence Close, in Edgware, will run the 5km race in Trent Park on Sunday.

She will be accompanied by her daughter and five friends. The team hopes to raise £5,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Ms Best, a mother-of-two, and her identical twin sister, Dorothy, both suffered from breast cancer 20 years ago.

Both had radiotherapy and partial mastectomies, which appeared to be successful.

However, 16 years later, Dorothy’s cancer returned, and despite having chemotherapy and a series of operations, she died in February 2011, at the age of 57.

Ms Best, who works for a chartered accountant, said: “We were very, very close. She was just lovely. Everyone thought so highly of her.

“The way she coped with everything was amazing. I feel she is with me now taking care of me.”

Shockingly, just six months after her sister’s death Ms Best learnt that her cancer had also returned.

Since September 2011 she has had a course of chemotherapy and a double mastectomy.

She is now recovering from the treatment, through which her 27-year-old daughter has cared for her.

Ms Best said: “We’ve had such a tough time and I am determined to get over it. To help fund research into cancer treatments I was determined to do the Race for Life this year.”

Ms Best also ran the race last year in memory of her sister and raised £16,000.

She said: “I am very blessed, both Dorothy and I have fantastic family and friends who have been so supportive.

“I was worried that I would not be fit enough to do the race this year but I think it will be fine.”