KATE Gross knows more than most the importance of living in the moment after almost two decades of cancer wreaking havoc with her life.

Since 2001 she has been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer twice and had major reconstructive surgery.

After discovering she had the faulty BRCA 2 gene, she also took the decision to have her ovaries removed – a preventative measure to save her life which also robbed her of the chance to have children.

Then came the devastating news that a routine scan had found secondary breast cancer in Kate’s liver which doctors warned her could be the end of the road.

But that was now eight years ago – and the 50-year-old is determined not to be controlled by the disease for a minute longer.

Instead she’s grabbing life by both hands and embarking on the adventure of a lifetime with husband Jason.

The couple, who have lived in Verwood, Dorset for 22 years, have packed in their careers and sold virtually everything they own – including their four-bedroom house. They’ve bought a new home on wheels, a 7m motorhome, in which they plan to see the world.

In a ruthless six-month clear out they sold everything from pots, pans and clothing to garden furniture, electronics and bedroom furniture – a haul which contributed to their savings for their adventure.

Despite being temporarily stalled by Covid, the pair have used lockdown as a chance to settle in to their new life and learn all the tricks of their new motorhome from the comfort of a New Forest campsite as they plan their incredible journey, which will begin as soon as restrictions lift.

Only two vitally important dates are in their diaries. One is Kate’s six month check-up at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital for which they will return home briefly and the other is Saturday April 24, when she will pull on her trainers and join thousands of people across the UK as they take on Race for Life at home to help Cancer Research UK carry on the fight against the disease.

Kate plans to raise funds and awareness for Cancer Research UK by completing her own 5K wherever she might be, to help people like her with cancer.

Cancer Research UK is predicting a staggering £300 million drop in income caused by COVID-19 over the next three years which could put future medical breakthroughs at risk. 

All 400 mass-participation Race for Life events across the UK were cancelled last year to protect the country’s health during the pandemic. And events that were scheduled for this spring and early summer have also now been postponed, with Race for Life on Bournemouth seafront scheduled for July 18.

It will be the fifth time Kate has taken part in Race for Life, having signed up to the cause because she knows just how vital research is to finding better treatments and helping others beat cancer.

Kate was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 after finding a lump near to her nipple on her left breast.

She had 13 lymph nodes removed and underwent six months of chemotherapy, followed by a mastectomy in early 2003. She then took Tamoxifen and Zoladex and had six-month checks.

But shortly after celebrating the milestone of five years clear, Kate found a lump in her right breast which turned out to be cancer.

She had another mastectomy and reconstruction and started chemotherapy again.

Genetic testing found she had a faulty BRCA2 gene, which causes a significant increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer and Kate made the decision to have preventative surgery to remove her ovaries, shattering her dreams of becoming a mum.

In 2012 there were was further devastating news, when a routine scan revealed a tumour on her liver, believed to have spread from her first breast cancer.

She said: “Once again I was distraught – I had been feeling fine. Even though I was able to have surgery and part of my liver removed, my consultant told me it was still the end of the road and Jason and I were devastated.

“But eight years on I am still here, there is no sign of cancer and I have a lot to be thankful for. We have both realised that life is for living – it can easily slip you by before you know it.

Kate, who met Jason while working within the electronic manufacturing industry, said “It’s given us a completely new zest for life. Neither of us were happy in our jobs and there is definitely more to life than work.

“I still get a bit twitchy when scan time approaches, but now we don’t have groundhog day any more – it’s the start of a new adventure and we are both very chilled out and relaxed,” said Kate who has been starting her days with a paddle board and a swim in the sea.

The couple plan to document their journey on Instagram using the name @ForeverCopilots and hope to reassure people that life can and does continue after a cancer diagnosis.

Kate said: “Maybe I am one of the lucky ones, but I would like other people to know that without research I most probably would not be here. I want to encourage them, and to share the hope of living with secondary cancer and show them that nobody needs to be alone.”

Speaking about participating in the 2021 virtual Race for Life, Kate added: “We need to raise awareness and some very much needed funds for Cancer Research UK at a time when the charity has been hit so hard, so that it can help people like me who face cancer in the future.”

Jenny Makin, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Dorset, said: “The truth is, COVID-19 has slowed us down - but we will never stop and we are absolutely determined to continue to create better cancer treatments for tomorrow.  

“Even though we have to Race for Life differently this spring, nothing is going to stop us running, walking or jogging to raise money to help beat cancer. We’d urge as many people as possible to join us this April and Race for Life at Home.”