An inspirational business leader who overcame cancer twice launched Race for Life in Scotland’s capital.
Gail Izat was guest of honour at Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, sounding the starter horn to send around 1,300 participants on the courses at Holyrood Park, Edinburgh. She was cheered on by her colleagues from Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group and headline sponsors for Race for Life.
More than £201,300 was raised at Race for Life Edinburgh – vital funds which will enable scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer – to bring about a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.
Every year, around 34,600 people are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland.
Gail, who is Standard Life Managing Director (workplace & retail intermediary), was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2019, just two months after celebrating her 50th birthday.
It was a shock when the disease returned days before Christmas in 2022. Now in remission, mum of two Gail has vowed to do everything she can to help give others more tomorrows with their loved ones.
Gail, from Edinburgh said: “I’ve had cancer twice but I’ve got through it twice thanks to life-saving science.
“When you’ve had cancer suddenly you realise you’re not immortal and actually you have something that might kill you. At first having cancer felt like being admitted to a secret club I didn’t want to belong to. I felt strongly that I didn’t even want to talk to people about cancer until I found out more information about what I was actually facing, until I knew it was curable.
“But as time went on I started to believe I was going to get through the disease. And as I’ve recovered, I’ve found events like Race for Life offer a chance to meet people whose lives have also been touched by cancer. It offers a wonderful support and a sense of community.”
Over the last 50 years, Cancer Research UK’s work has helped double breast cancer survival in the UK.
Race for Life Edinburgh included a 360 degree photobooth, provided by headline sponsor Standard Life, where participants were able to receive a digital copy of a photo as a reminder of the day. Standard Life fielded a team of 30 staff who completed Race for Life Edinburgh.
A group of 17 pupils aged between nine to 26 from the award winning Sarah Hendry School of Dance in Glenrothes entertained the crowds with Highland Dance moves. Sharon Holgarth from Event Buddies Scotland was at the picnic area offering face painting and a stilt walker circulated to chat to supporters.
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, is an inspiring series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.
Now organisers are sending a heartfelt message of thanks to everyone who put their best feet forward as well as their supporters. And they’re appealing for people to make every step count by paying in sponsorship money as soon as possible.
Linda Summerhayes, Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman in Scotland, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in Race for Life Edinburgh.
“No matter how cancer affects us, life is worth racing for. Sadly nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime but all of us can support the research that will beat it.
“We’re proud that Race for Life has had such a positive impact. Every pound raised supports our life-saving work, which has helped double cancer survival in the UK over the last 50 years.
“It was a fantastic day at Race for Life Edinburgh, full of emotion, courage, tears, laughter and hope as people celebrated the lives of those dear to them who have survived cancer and remembered loved ones lost to the disease.
“Now we’re asking everyone who took part to return the money they’re raised as soon as possible. Every donation, every pound raised will make a real difference.”
Since it began in 1994, more than 10 million people have taken part in Race for Life, contributing millions of pounds towards life-saving research.
Cancer Research UK funded scientists led the development of the Human Papillomavirus Virus vaccine, which is expected to prevent almost 90 per cent of cervical cancers in the UK. The charity was a key player in the development of radiotherapy which now benefits millions of cancer patients worldwide.
Cancer Research UK played a leading role in the development of abiraterone – a drug that gives men with advanced prostate cancer more time with their friends and family.
Andy Curran, Chief Executive of Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, said: “We are incredibly proud to continue as headline sponsor for Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, with the opportunity to encourage participation across the country.
“By working to raise funds for life-saving research, we can move towards a future where people live longer and better lives, free from the fear of cancer.”
To enter, visit raceforlife.org
Gail Izat’s story
Gail Izat is in remission from triple negative breast cancer.
Around 15 per cent of people diagnosed with the disease have this type of breast cancer. Triple negative breast cancers are cancers whose cells don’t have receptors to the hormones oestrogen and progesterone or a protein called Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER 2).
This means doctors cannot use targeted hormone therapies or drugs that specifically target those receptors, leaving chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy as the main treatment options.
On October 1 2019, Gail had day surgery to remove the tumour and she started chemotherapy treatment on November 30 2019. Gail had eight sessions of chemotherapy in total. After the side effects of treatment meant she lost her long dark hair, her husband Bill McGeoch and their sons, Rory, now 21, and Euan, 19, also shaved their heads in solidarity.
In the spring of 2020 as the UK went in to lockdown due to the COVID 19 pandemic, Gail started six sessions of radiotherapy. Treatment was complete by the end of April 2020. Gail steadily recovered and was monitored closely over the next two years.
But in December 2022, the results of her annual mammogram stopped her in her tracks. Gail said: “After I’d had cancer for the first time I couldn’t fully shake off a sense of dread that it might return.
“I’d had a busy few days at work and I remember an O131 Edinburgh number kept coming through to my mobile phone as a missed call. Eventually the hospital left a voicemail asking me to call.
“The doctors had found something and I had to go in the next day for urgent tests. I had cancer again.”
That Christmas was difficult for all the family. But it was a relief in January when tests showed the cancer had not spread. On February 23 2023 at St John’s Hospital, Livingston, Gail endured a 14 hour mastectomy surgery and reconstruction.
She was in the intensive care ward for several days. Early in March, Gail had to return to hospital for seven days for more surgery due to complications.
Gail said: “It took me a good ten weeks to recover from the surgery and it was actually harder than all the treatment I’d had previously. But I was lucky. They’d caught the cancer early and I got through it thanks to the amazing support I had from my family and my colleagues at work.”
Gail had six months of daily chemotherapy tablets which she completed in October 2023. She now has an annual mammogram and a CT scan every six months. She keeps fit by walking every day with the family pet labradoodle, Poppy.
Gail said: “It’s important to live for the moment but also to think of the future. I feel passionate about Standard Life’s work as we make a positive difference.
“We support people to think about how they can be kind to their future selves by pension planning and through long term savings.”
