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Melissa Evans, from Ilkeston, ran the Great North Run in 2008 to raise money for Breast Cancer Campaign.

She decided to take part in the race after being diagnosed with breast cancer at just 24. After going through the emotional rollercoaster of diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, she wanted to raise money to help others.

You can read Melissa's story below, but first she tells us how she got on.

En route to South Shields

Melissa's Great North Run 2008:

"The GNR had such a great atmosphere and was an emotional day for me.ÌýI was dressed as an 80s raver and was amazed by the support given from the crowd cheering us along.Ìý

"All the thousands of people there together for such a great reason and raising money for charity.Ìý

"I met a man called Brian who I called my knight in shining armour and we ran together from the second mile.ÌýHis wife recovered from having breast cancer three years ago and he approached me after seeing me in my Breast Cancer Campaign vest. We finished the course holding hands at the finishing line in 2 hours 40.Ìý

"The main aim for me was to complete the run and raise the money for the charity that is very close to my heart.ÌýDonations are still coming in and I believe I would have raised approximately £1,500.

"Two days of aches and pains afterwards were all very worth it."

Read the original feature about why Melissa decided to enter Great North Run 2008:

I was 24 when I was at home and accidentally discovered a small pea-sized lump under my arm to the side of my left breast.

All sorts of thoughts went through my head but being 24 and healthy I decided I was overreacting and there was no reason for it to be anything serious, certainly not life-threatening, because I'm untouchable right?

Melissa on a night out with friends

The next day as a precaution I went to the doctors who examined me and said that he suggests it's to do with my cycle and that I was being paranoid because of what happened to Kylie Minogue.Ìý

Feeling of shock

I went away relieved but after a month and no change I went back to speak to a different doctor.Ìý

I was referred to the specialists at the breast institute within two weeks. Being pushed from pillar to post having various tests. The final test being a biopsy to which I returned three days later with my parents for the results.

That day their concerns were confirmed and I had breast cancer! Shock took over as I was informed how aggressive it is in young people and I needed to decide whether to have a mastectomy or lumpectomy.Ìý

I was trying to be strong and wanted all the information - most importantly was I going to be ok? It was too much to take and I wanted my operation asap to get the cancer removed from my body.

Within a couple of weeks I was on the conveyer belt of other patients and the lump along with lymph nodes removed. It was the longest three weeks of my life waiting for the results - had it all been removed or had it spread?

My future was no longer in my hands and that was very frustrating.

Raising awareness

Being told the operation was a success and there were no signs of the cancer spreading was the greatest news.Ìý

Though as a preventative measure I agreed to have the maximum treatment. A rollercoaster six months followed, with chemo poisoning my system and taking away my hair, killing all my white cells and putting me in hospital for a few days at a time.Ìý

It's my great family and friends that helped me get through it.

It's strange to look back as I find it unbelievable to accept what I've been through. At the time I just soldiered through but it's now I can get emotional.

Two years later I have just had an all clear mammogram and am taking part in the Great North Run to raise money for Breast Cancer Campaign.Ìý

I know that it will be an emotional day but I'm determined to succeed and complete the run, aiming to raise awareness and pray that there is hope for the women of the future that there was for me.

Health and happiness

melissa x

Visit Melissa's fundraising page: