A PRIMARY school teacher from Newport who survived a rare form of cancer is preparing to run the London Marathon in support of a national charity – and her pupils are doing their bit too.
Rachel Avon, who teaches at Ringland Primary School in the city, was diagnosed with Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) shortly after giving birth to her daughter Cari.
“Three days after giving birth I was called back to the hospital and told that they had found a very rare microscopic tumour,” she said.
“Not only is Cari an extremely special little girl, but without being pregnant the tumour may have not been found and my story could be very different.”
Five years on, and having received the all-clear, Mrs Avon is preparing to undertake the race to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
Pupils at her school have also been showing their support for Mrs Avon.
Yesterday, the school field was the site of a mini marathon, with pupils and parents completing laps for 26 minutes and 2 seconds to represent the distance their teacher will be running.
Sporting banners emblazoned with ‘Go Mrs Avon!’ and ‘We’re right behind you’, the pupils’ enthusiasm was there for all to see.
“It was really emotional,” said Mrs Avon, who admitted she’s not known the pupils had been conducting a covert banner-making operation in her absence.
“I would like to say a huge thank-you to the pupils and parents for believing in me since I started.”
Mrs Avon went on to say that she is relative newcomer to the world of long-distance running.
“It started as part of the school’s Growth Mindset scheme,” she said.
“I chose running and began the Couch to 5k programme, posting my progress on the classroom door.
“Now I’m a coach with Lliswerry Runners.”
Mrs Avon will be sporting the number 51933 during the London Marathon, on Sunday, April 28, and hopes that pupils and parents alike will be cheering her on.
She has already more than doubled her fundraising target but, to add your support, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/rachel-avon
For more information about Cancer Research UK, visit cancerresearchuk.org
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