A WEST Kilbride fundraiser who has seen herself and her daughter overcome cancer has reached a landmark as she reached £30,000 and has an important message for everyone.

Marianne Smith, who fought and overcame cancer in 1983 has spent the years since then raising money for cancer charities.

The importance of her fundraising hit home in 2002 when her daughter Suzanne was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

She said that both Suzanne and herself are examples that a diagnosis of cancer does not mean your life is over, and you can battle against it.

After reading an article in the Glasgow Herald about Professor Tessa Holyoake’s wish to have a specialist leukaemia centre in Glasgow, Marianne turned her attention to fundraising to help build the Paul O’Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre.

She began by organising Chinese auctions at home and at her local bowling club and then progressed to organising craft fairs and table top sales.

Between her and Suzanne they have raised an amazing total of £30,000 for leukaemia research in Glasgow.

Marianne says that she “wants to give hope to people” and that she could not have done this without the “loyalty and support of friends and family over the past 15 years”.

After a bone marrow transplant in 2003 Suzanne is doing well and both mum and daughter thank the wonderful work that is taking place at the Paul O’Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre.

In particular, they paid tribute to the care they received from Professor Holyoake who very sadly passed away this year.

Marianne told the Herald: “It is a terrible thing to watch anyone going through let alone your own daughter.

“It was a trying time.

“A lot of people who are diagnosed think that is the end, but you have to fight.

“Even if you fight, you don’t always win, but it can be done, and it is important to give hope.

“I would like to thank everyone that has supported my fundraising, some of whom have been with me all the way since day one.”