When Roberta Garau’s mother died from a rare cancer ten years ago, her daughter promised that she would help people like her in the future. Now Roberta, 31, is a doctor and will run the Edinburgh Marathon on Sunday in her memory.
Her mother Valeria, living in Italy, had sudden symptoms of heavy bleeding and went to A&E. A growth in her uterus was found. Within a few weeks, she had been diagnosed with uterine leiomyosarcoma.
Valeria – a researcher who analysed biological data – had an operation to remove the cancer, but it later spread to her lungs and, aged 60, she died in 2015.
Roberta was a student at the University of Aberdeen at the time. She said: ‘My mum was an incredible woman – extremely intelligent, hard-working and fun to be around. I think about her every single day, and I miss all our conversations. I wish she could have seen the fruits of all her hard work parenting and been there for all my adult life milestones. I promised her I would do my best to help people like her in the future. I’ve since become a doctor, and I am training to be a surgeon with a special interest in cancer, and I am pursuing a PhD in cancer research.’
Roberta, from Edinburgh, has just completed a year as President of the Association of Surgeons in Training. She is currently undertaking a PhD looking at colorectal carcinogenesis.
On Sunday, she will be taking part in her first ever marathon for charity Sarcoma UK. She said: ‘I remember the difficulty when my mum was the only one with her rare subtype of sarcoma in our town in Italy. She did not have a community or a support network which could give her advice and support. Sarcoma research needs more funding and attention.
‘I am fundraising for Sarcoma UK because it provides a community of people with a rare cancer and their family a lifeline for information, support and much-needed research funding.’
Sarcoma UK’s Ambassador in Scotland, Shelagh Alison, said: ‘Dr Garau’s dedication to sarcoma awareness represents exactly what we need – passionate individuals who understand both the medical challenges and personal impact of these rare cancers. Her journey from a daughter’s promise to becoming a surgeon and researcher embodies the determination required to advance sarcoma understanding, support and treatment. Every stride she takes in the Edinburgh Marathon helps shine a light on these under-researched cancers and brings hope to patients and families currently facing the issues Valeria experienced. We’re incredibly grateful for champions like Roberta who transform personal loss into powerful advocacy.’
To donate to Roberta, go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/roberta-garau-inmemoryofvaleria
