BRIDESMAIDS are asked to do a lot. Duties can range from organising hen parties to supporting the bride – anything and everything. However, hiding a cancer diagnosis isn't something many bridesmaids will take on...but for Samantha Currie she knew she had to.

The Menstrie mum-of-two was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after her 40th birthday last year. It was also the day before her best friend Kara Rollo's wedding.

Fearing she would ruin the big day, Samantha kept it a secret.

Now, Samantha will stand on the start line as VIP starter at Scotland’s first Race for Life event in Stirling on Sunday, May 8, and sound the claxon to set participants off on the 5k and 10k courses to raise funds for life-saving research.

Samantha, who is mum to 12-year-old Emma and two-year-old Tom, said: “My children mean the world to me and have kept a smile on my face even during the tough times.

“On the days I feel well enough to dance around the kitchen then we still do it. It’s important to still be mum.

“I’m blessed to have the best family and friends you could ever wish for.

“The day I discovered I had cancer, I knew that this was going to be in our lives for a very long time to come.

“I also knew that my best friend Kara was getting married in just a few hours' time and I was the bridesmaid staying overnight with her on the eve of the wedding.

“She would only get one wedding day so I refused to let cancer overwhelm everything.

“This was her moment and I found the inner strength to put cancer away in a box for that one special day.

“When I look back at photos from the wedding day I can see genuine happiness.

“People cry at weddings anyway so a few tears didn’t look out of place.

“There’s a sparkle in my eyes which may have faded a little during cancer treatment but with support from the amazing people in my life I know that sparkle will return.”

Samantha knows exactly how vital it is to raise funds for life-saving research.

Within two weeks of discovering a lump in her right breast, the primary school teacher was at Forth Valley Royal hospital having a mammogram, ultra sound and biopsy.

She was at home when the phone call from the hospital came through which changed her life.

Samantha said: “I’ll never forget that phone call.

“They asked me to come in to the hospital for an appointment with the doctor and advised that I bring someone with me.

“The second they asked me to bring someone with me I thought that wasn’t a good sign.

“The tests showed I had breast cancer. It was only when she said that I’d need chemotherapy treatment that the reality started to kick in.”

Samantha told her husband John, but kept it a secret until after the wedding.

Three days later, she told Kara.

“Kara and I are so close,” Samantha continued. “She said she couldn’t believe how I’d managed to keep it a secret.

“I think she understood it had been so important to me that I didn’t burst her happiness bubble.

“We talk all the time again now and she’s been a great support all the way through cancer.”

Explaining to her children what was happening was vital too.

Samantha said: “My son is too young to know what’s going on but my daughter Emma has been amazing.

“I’ve said to Emma she’s being so strong which is great, but I’ve told her it’s okay not to be okay, too.

“She hugged me and said: ‘I know, mum, but I’m just being brave because you’re so brave'.

"We talk about everything. Emma is so caring. Now she’ll text me from school on the days I have a hospital appointment to say good luck.

“My hair was falling out so much that after the second chemotherapy treatment I asked my husband to shave the rest of it off. It felt like a chance to take back control from cancer by deciding when I wanted to lose my hair.

“When my daughter saw me bald for the first time she just hugged me and told me I looked beautiful.”

Samantha had her seventh and final chemotherapy treatment earlier this month and is now preparing for surgery to have the tumour removed.

She said: “People say to me you make me forget you’ve got cancer because you’re always smiling.

“Yes, there are days when I can smile and make things normal for the kids. My goal is to do that often but there are also some dark days. I think it’s important to be honest, to document those days as well.

“I was seen within two weeks and treatment began straight away. I know that’s not been the case for everyone.

“Early detection is vital so I’m glad by sharing my story I can raise awareness.

Scotland’s first Race for Life events of the year kick off in Stirling and South Queensferry on Sunday, May 8, closely followed this spring by events across the country.

The biggest Race for Life event is on Sunday, May 22 at Glasgow Green.

To enter, visit raceforlife.org