THREE generations of a family whose lives have been touched by cancer are urging women to join them in the frontline fight against the disease.

Amy Price, 25, her sisters Nicola, 27, and Sarah, 24, their mother Jackie, 48, and her six-year-old niece Abigail, are all taking part in the Cancer Research UK Race for Life at Saltwell Park in Gateshead on June 5.

The family have seen first-hand the devastating impact cancer has and they are urging other mums, daughters, sisters and friends to follow their lead by signing up for the 5k run.

Amy, who has taken part in Race for Life for the last six years, said: “Together, we’ll be part of the front line against cancer at Saltwell Park.

“I feel proud to be part of a powerful, passionate army of women who are so motivated to help raise money and make a difference.”

In March 2009, when Amy was 18 and pregnant with her first child, her father, Barry, was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, an advanced and aggressive type of brain tumour.

She said: “It was a terrible shock when dad found out he had cancer. You never expect it to happen to anyone you know. We were absolutely devastated.”

In April 2011, Barry was readmitted to hospital for surgery to remove some of his skull to reduce the pressure on his brain.

In August that same year, and when his youngest daughter Sarah was pregnant with Abigail, Barry lost his battle to cancer and died at Bishop Auckland Hospital.

Amy said: “Taking part in Race for Life is our way of celebrating our dad’s life at the same time as fighting back against cancer.”

Jackie, former landlady of The Derwentside Pub in Blackhill, has faced cancer in her family more than once.

As well as her former husband, Barry, her aunt, Mary, lost her life to cancer of the bile duct, as did her uncle, Roy, who died of lung cancer and her partner Rob Moon, 46, died in May last year after battling acute myeloid leukaemia.

To enter Race for Life visit www.raceforlife.org or call 0300-123-0770.