A TWO time cancer survivor whose life was saved by an experimental operation as a child is backing the Stand Up to Cancer fundraising campaign.

Linda Poole, who lives in Basildon, was one of the first children to have the operation for bone cancer and her case made the pages of medical text books – however there were long term side effects and Linda thought she’d never have children.

In 1959 the tumour in Linda’s right lower leg was discovered and bone cancer was diagnosed. Her operation was one of the first of its kind and made the pages of medical textbooks under her maiden name of Linda Silverman, or anonymously.

Linda was lucky to keep her limb but was in a wheelchair for some time, then on callipers, finally she used crutches until she could walk unaided. Part of her rehabilitation involved horse and pony riding which became a lifelong love and she now volunteers at Barrow Farm Riding for the Disabled Association in Chelmsford.

Linda said: “When I had cancer as a child I didn’t understand the severity of it at that time but when I met one of the consultants by chance years later he said, ‘I remember that leg.’ He pointed at the scar and said, ‘you were our miracle.’ I was the first, or one of the first, to have that treatment. They thought I might lose my leg so I surprised them from the start.”

When she was 21, Linda had a welcome surprise - a suspected cold turned out to be a pregnancy. At 44, Linda was diagnosed with cancer again – this time a tumour in her chest wall close to her heart, and her son Simon was there to help her through it.

Linda, who’s 63 also went through radiotherapy for a benign tumour just after Simon was born - now the two of them are backing Stand Up To Cancer, a joint fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.

Stand Up To Cancer aims to raise money to fund vital research which will get new and better treatments to cancer patients faster. This year’s campaign is up and running now, and will culminate with an evening of special programming on Channel 4 on Friday October, 9.

With one week to go Linda and Simon are urging local people to help raise money at work, school or at home for Cancer Research UK as they know all too well how crucial new developments and breakthroughs in treatment are in helping children and adults survive cancer.

Launched in the UK in 2012, Stand Up to Cancer has already raised over £23.8million.

This year, there are many ways to get involved and help save lives. A free fundraising kit is available to help spark creative ideas and provide support. Supporters of all ages can literally stand up and get sponsored, choosing exactly how, when and where they make their stand. Alternatively, they might choose to wear a ridiculous bottom half for the day with the ‘Crazy Legs’ challenge, or cook up some cash by conjuring up culinary delights and selling them at work or school.

Danielle Glavin, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for the East said: “We are very grateful to Linda and Simon for their support.

“Stand Up To Cancer funds research that aims to have a real impact on patients’ lives. We’ve made amazing progress against cancer in the past few decades. Thanks to new treatments, screening and earlier diagnosis, more people are surviving the disease than ever before.

“Money raised by Stand Up To Cancer is helping change the face of cancer research by funding clinical trials, which mean new and improved treatments can be tested and then given to people who need them most.

“One in two of us in the UK will develop cancer at some point in our lives. That’s why we need everyone to join in and make a stand against cancer right now.”

People across the region can also show their support for the campaign in style as a fun range of clothing and accessories for men, women, children, and even dogs, is available online at standuptocancer.org.uk and in Cancer Research UK shops.

Stand Up To Cancer is supported by a host of celebrities including Davina McCall, Alan Carr and Dr Christian Jessen. For more information and to get involved visit www.standuptocancer.org.uk