adidas Manchester Marathon participant, Clare McWhir, will take on the event in honour of her best friend, who passed away from cancer 4 years after her initial 12 week prognosis.

Clare shared with us the story of her “fierce” best friend, Gillian McGowan, as well as her own journey toward her first marathon in which she is fundraising for Cancer Research UK. Read Clare’s words about the pair’s inspiring friendship below.

10 years ago, I met Gillian, my fiercely passionate, brutally honest best friend. Our bond was instant. I was Thelma; she was Louise – my safe place.

Gillian adored animals, travel, and above all, her family. Her zest for life made the news of her breast cancer in July 2018 all the harder. When I opened the door, she was stood with a bottle of wine and a big smile. She poured the glasses and said to take a big drink – “I have something to tell you”. That was when she told me about the breast cancer.

She didn’t dwell on the diagnosis, even flying to Africa to volunteer at a wildlife centre before dealing with it. She said, “I’ll deal with it all when I’m back.” And that’s what she did.

When Gillian returned, things moved quickly. She had surgery, radiotherapy and chemo to manage the disease. Life continued as normally as it could.

Then, in September 2020, on a “Gillian-style” beach trip – dogs in her convertible, heading to the sunset – she told me she felt a lump. “I know the cancer is back.” Two weeks later, she was paralysed from the chest down. A spinal tumour. Twelve weeks to live. We were all devasted. It was a frightening time, especially during covid. However, even though Gillian was in pain and afraid herself, she somehow made her diagnosis easier for others. She tried to make every day count, whizzing around in her electric wheelchair causing absolute chaos! She also had goals. One big dream she had was to travel to Japan, and that is exactly what she did with her boys in 2022.

Gillian faced cancer with unbelievable strength and determination. She wanted to live.

Four years after her second cancer diagnosis, Gillian passed away peacefully at home. She had outlived her initial timeframe by 47 months, but nothing prepares you for that last goodbye. The last day I saw her before she passed, she laughed a lot as I talked about my marathon training. She said “Who on earth wants to run a marathon? Thelma you’re mad – why not just have a cake sale instead?”

I signed up to the adidas Manchester Marathon to support Cancer Research UK, whose pioneering work can help stop more Thelmas losing their Louises’. I also turn 50 this year, so it’s a way for me to celebrate life, as Gillian did for herself too. After all, if she can go to Japan while living with terminal cancer, I can run 26.2 miles!

My friend Christine, also touched by cancer, is joining me. Training has been tough. Christine broke her wrist, and then, on November 25th, Gillian passed away. My heart wasn’t in it, but I remembered Gillian would want me to keep going.

We’re back on track, looking forward to the event. It’s not about time; it’s about the atmosphere, the finish line, and gratitude. Gillian’s funeral song was “Only One Call Away.” That will be in my head every step of the way. I also want to thank the Ayrshire Hospice; they are incredible and allowed Gillian to truly live with cancer. We’ll be forever grateful.

Thank you, Clare, for sharing yours and Gillian’s powerful story. Make sure to sponsor Clare’s Cancer Research UK fundraiser via the link below.