Ruth Cartwright spells out cancer risks

When the Lymphoma Association launched its new campaign to encourage the mainly youthful victims of this particular form of cancer to keep a look-out for the early warning signs of its onset, they turned to 24-year-old Ruth Cartwright to help hammer the life-saving message home.

It was an apt choice; the Gazette featured Ruth and her fellow Lanark childhood friend Hazel Burns, then just 22, in September, 2008.

While both coping with cancer treatment, they carried out a hugely successful fundraising campaign on behalf of cancer-related charities.

Sadly, Hazel lost her brave fight in November but not until after she and Ruth, a pal since primary school, had raised tens of thousands of pounds under the banner of the local charity they formed together, Happily Ever After.

Amongst the charities which benefited from the Lanark girls' efforts was the Lymphoma Association.

And now it is to the surviving member of that dynamic duo, Ruth, they have turned to for more help, this time as someone who can put over the strong message to people of her generation that they shouldn't think their youth frees them from risks of cancer.

For more information on this story, pick up a copy of the Carluke and Lanark Gazette which is in the shops now.