A 28-YEAR-OLD woman who lost her mother and aunt to cancer is urging people in Derby to take up the challenge and run this year's Race for Life.

When Kelly Johnson was 12 years old, her aunt died of liver cancer just one week after being diagnosed with the condition.

Kelly, a former Friesland School pupil, was devastated by Kathy Baker's death and shocked with the speed at which the illness spread.

Sadly the disease struck Kelly's family again a year later when her mother Shirley died of breast cancer. She was just 40 years old.

It left dad Peter, of Risley, to bring up Kelly and her brother Lee, who were just 13 and 10 at the time.

"My mum spent about nine months or so slowly deteriorating," said Kelly.

"As a child, you thought the doctors would make her better and she kept assuring myself and my brother it was just a bad infection.

"But on New Year's Eve she was rushed into hospital and spent the week in there before she passed away.

"I never forget her having to tell me and my brother she was going to die whilst lying in the hospital bed. No child or mother should ever have to go through that so young in both of their lives."

Kelly's grandmother Margaret Baker, 83, also has cancer. When she was in her 50s she had her womb removed to stop the spread of the disease but recently found out it had returned.

"My heart to goes out to her, losing both of her children and suffering with the same disease," said Kelly.

"She has been so strong for myself and my brother and helped us through the hard times, yet she must be suffering so much pain herself.

"She has just had an operation to remove a cancerous lump in her stomach but unfortunately doctors found more of the disease which they can't remove.

"She is in good health for now and we are helping her to make the most of her time while we can."

Kelly ran last year's Race For Life at Darley Park and raised £400 for Cancer Research UK.

She is now urging other people to take part in this year's event and raise money for the charity.

"It is an emotional event," said Kelly, who works for Japanese banking firm Nomura International in London.

"I always try and do the Race for Life because there is such a good atmosphere and sense of togetherness from all the people there," she said.

Kelly's family history means she is at high risk of developing the disease herself and has to have regular checks.

"I run for those who lost the battle, those still alive fighting it, those left mourning  and for myself, because my future will more than likely be affected," she said.

The annual Darley Park race will take place on Saturday and Sunday, May 9 and 10.

There will also be a Race for Life event at Donington Park on Wednesday, July 9.

Last year, more than 6,500 women walked, jogged or ran the Darley Park event and raised £388,240.

People who want to take part should visit www.race forlife.org or call 0871 641 2282 for more information.

To tell your Race For Life story, call Claire Duffin on Derby 253053, and visit www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/raceforlife2009 to read them.