Anita running to beat cancer

Anita running to beat cancer

9 October 2013

IT wasn’t long ago that Anita McGinn was fighting for her life. Now she’s running to better the lives of others. Tackling the gruelling Dublin marathon has always been an ambition for the Assumption Grammar School teacher, whose efforts will raise money for a school venture to Malawi.

The 26 miles and 385 yards between Fitzwilliam Street Upper and Clare Street are unlikely to daunt the 43-year-old, who has always been a keen runner, leading a healthy lifestyle and enjoying fitness regimes.

However, it was just five years ago that cancer came knocking on Anita’s door.

The school’s head of ICT was diagnosed with ovarian endometrial stage one cancer in November 2008 and uterine stage one cancer in December 2008. It was the start of a long, hard, painful road to recovery.

“A few years before I had been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome,” she explained. “Then the symptoms got much worse and they thought it was appendicitis, but after scans and tests they discovered it was a tumour on my ovary which turned out to be cancer.”

The shock at her diagnosis was compounded by the knowledge that the cancer had gone undetected for so long. But, for Anita, there was only one way to look — forwards. Supported by husband Niall, family and friends, she underwent two operations and had extensive chemo and radiotherapy until July 2009.

So far her recovery has been good and all her reviews have been positive.

And, as the recovery kicked in, so too did the serious running.

Along with three other Assumption teachers, Anita ran a 10k in 2010 which was in aid of Angels of Hope, a charity to help people with ovarian cancer.

Anita will also run a 10k on Monday, October 21, with year 14 A2 physical education students from the Ballynahinch school during her preparation for the marathon.

All proceeds will go towards a Habitat for Humanity project. Along with a team of Assumption Grammar School pupils and teachers she will travel to Malawi next July to help rebuild homes and lives of the local people. Her target is £2,200.

Anita feels very fortunate to have got her life back and has travelled extensively since her recovery, visiting California, Mexico, India and Cape Verde. She hopes her Malawi trip will give her another chance to celebrate life and give something to others in need.

Anita is taking part in the Dublin Marathon on Monday, October 28. To make a donation to her fundraising visit http://www.justgiving.com/Anita-McGinn1