ESSEX women are being urged to make a stand against cancer by entering Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, which opens on Monday (January 14).

Event organisers are issuing the rallying cry ‘cancer, we’re coming to get you’ to mums, daughters, sisters, grandmas and friends, encouraging them to sign up as soon as possible.

Women and girls of all ages, shapes and sizes are needed to join together as a formidable army and take on cancer at the following events:

Garon Park, Southend-on-Sea, on Sunday May 12

Harlow Town Park, Harlow on Sunday May 19

Weald Country Park, Brentwood on Saturday May 25

Gloucester Park, Basildon on Sunday June 23

North Weald Airfield, Epping Forest on Wednesday July 3

Hylands Park, Chelmsford on Sunday July 7

Lower Castle Park, Colchester on Sunday July 21

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in partnership with Tesco is an inspiring women-only series of events which raises millions of pounds every year to help defeat cancer by funding life-saving research.

Gill Burgess, Cancer Research UK’s Essex events manager, said: “Come on ladies, please play your part by entering Race for Life in Essex today. Together, we can hit cancer where it hurts!

“There are over 200 cancers and we won’t give up until we find cures for them all. It’s fighting talk, but we mean every word we say. Cancer, Essex is coming to get you.”

Last year, 23,100 women took part in Race for Life in Essex and raised a fantastic �1,518,685. This year, organisers need 21,800 women and girls to stride out to help raise �1,370,000 for vital research.

Money raised through Race for Life allows Cancer Research UK’s doctors, nurses and scientists to advance research which is helping to save the lives of men, women and children across the reion.

Gill continued: “Women of all shapes, sizes, ages and levels of fitness take part in Race for Life. They come from different backgrounds and walks of life but they are united by their absolute determination to take on cancer and beat it.

“Race for Life is non-competitive. It’s not about being fit or fast. Most women are able to walk 5k in an hour while chatting and having fun. Or they can choose to jog, run or even dance around the course if they prefer.

“Race for Life is an amazing way to celebrate life but also remember those who have been lost to the disease. Participants may be decked out in pink or fancy dress but what’s inescapable is the power and strength that comes from thousands of women joining together to confront cancer.

Don’t be fooled by the tutus and tiaras. Essex Race for Life is cancer’s worst nightmare.”

Cancer Research UK receives no Government funding for its ground-breaking research but with help from the people of Essex, the charity intends to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.

Gill added: “We are very grateful to everyone who took part in Race for Life in Essex last year and in the past. Thanks to them Cancer Research UK has been able to make progress against many forms of the disease.

“But the battle against cancer never stops and for this reason we need everyone to return to the fight in 2013 and bring new recruits with them.”

To enter Essex Race for Life today go to raceforlife.org or call 0845 600 6050.