A YOUNG Greenock woman who was diagnosed with cancer on her birthday and left fighting for her life is tackling a fundraising challenge to help pay for vital research.

Emma Sinclair was stunned when she was told that she had chronic myeloid leukaemia, an incurable blood cancer, last October on the day she turned 34.

The keen runner had been feeling unwell and believed she had coronavirus.

But she woke up on her birthday vomiting blood and was taken to Inverclyde Royal Hospital.

Doctors discovered that she had a stomach ulcer and cancer, and Emma had to be rushed to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Emma told the Tele: "It was such a shock to hear that I had cancer, it was completely unexpected and not what I'd planned to hear on my birthday.

"I had been feeling quite lethargic and was having to stop a lot during my runs, but I just put it down to perhaps a viral infection or even Covid-19.

"I'd went for a few tests, but it was only on my birthday that I woke up vomiting up blood that I had to go to the hospital.

"It was a double shock, as I didn't know I had a stomach ulcer and really did not expect to hear them say I had cancer.

"It was just a blur after that.

"I was blue lighted right up to the Queen Elizabeth, where I stayed for five weeks."

Emma had to undergo multiple operations for her ulcer before she was able to begin chemotherapy treatment.

During that time, hospital visiting pandemic restrictions meant that she could only see the same two people, for just one hour a day.

Emma's family, parents Anne and Stewart and siblings Elaine, Hazel and Stewart, had to offer support mainly from a distance before she was finally allowed home as an out-patient.

The fitness fanatic, a member of the Glenpark Harriers and Urban Fit Gym, is now 'making great progress'.

She is under the care of Inverclyde Royal Hospital and attends once a month for a check-up.

Emma said: "I am now having more good days than bad, so I feel like I'm getting somewhere.

"It has been really difficult though.

"I was a very active person, so I'm just getting used to having half the energy I used to have.

"The hospital say I am making good progress.

"I have gone from being in critical condition to now only having to check in with the hospital once per month.

"I'm taking it one step at a time."

Brave Emma has even been able to return on a part-time basis to her human resources role at the Good Shepherd Centre.

She now hopes to give back to those who have been supporting her by organising a 'Walk of Light' charity event this Saturday.

Emma will be joined by friends and family as she walks the Esplanade and round the Battery Park and back to raise funds for Blood Cancer UK.

She told the Tele: "I've been overwhelmed with the support I have had.

"I only wanted to raise £50 and have raised over £800 already.

"I'll be joined my by family and friends on the walk on Saturday night and we're hoping to do it just as the sun is setting.

"The charity supports research into chronic myeloid leukaemia and other blood cancers.

"Through their work there are different treatments available - the reason I'm fortunate enough to still be here today."

*To donate to Emma's fundraiser, visit bit.ly/37JILPX