Walking for Life with Cancer Focus Northern Ireland

Cancer Focus Northern Ireland, the new name for the Ulster Cancer Foundation, is holding several walks in August in the Newtownabbey and Belfast areas for anyone who has been affected by cancer.

August Walks – Newtownabbey/Belfast:

• Wednesday 1st August – Giants Ring from Minnowburn – 6.30pm

• Saturday 11th August – Loughshore from Jordanstown – 10.30am

• Saturday 18th August – Waterworks,Antrim Road – 10.30am

• Saturday 25th August – Lagan Meadows from Stranmillis – 10.30am

The Cancer Focus walks are free of charge and are open to patients currently undergoing cancer treatment as well as those who have completed their treatment.

Liz Atkinson, Head of Care Services, Cancer Focus, said, “Research fromDenmarkshows that cancer patients who engage in moderate exercise while under-going treatment suffer less from the debilitating effects of fatigue.  Fatigue is one of the most commonly reported symptoms affecting cancer patients and has the greatest impact on quality of life. Our walking groups follow a slow and progressive walking programme that allows the body to gradually rebuild its normal levels of fitness.

“This service is also ideal for cancer patients who have completed their treatment. It is a great opportunity to meet new people and chat to others who are in a similar situation. We also encourage participants to bring a friend or family member. The walking group provides a schedule of easy walks that offer an accessible way of getting exercise and fresh air to enhance general wellbeing.”

Carol Annesley is a volunteer walking group leader for Cancer Focus. She has always enjoyed a healthy lifestyle and admits she found it difficult to accept when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The Cancer Focus Lavender Support Group helped her come to terms with her illness and now she is sharing her love of the outdoors by helping other patients as a volunteer leader with the charity’s walking service.

Carol (47), an accounts clerk from Glengormley was diagnosed four years ago. She says, “I was a keen runner for eight or nine years before I became ill which is probably why I found it hard to accept my diagnosis – I’ve always tried to have a healthy lifestyle, getting exercise and eating properly and there was no family history of cancer. When I was feeling ill I got an awful lot of support from my family, friends and my running club, East Antrim Harriers, as well as from Cancer Focus.

“Three or four weeks after my surgery I was advised to go out for walks and get fresh air and started taking my dog Gypsy for short walks when I was feeling up to it. It was a brilliant way to get back into exercise again.

“A couple of years ago Morag Chambers, Volunteer Coordinator with Cancer Focus asked if I would be interested in helping with the charity’s walking groups. As I love to be active and know what the patients have been through I was very keen to take part.

“The walks are tailored to what the walkers feel they can manage. They encourage people to become more active and get fresh air, keep spirits up, build up patients’ strength and give them a chance to do a bit of socialising.

“So far I’ve helped with walks around theValleyParkin Newtownabbey, the Waterworks onAntrim Roadand at Colin Glen inBelfast, and also further afield in Crawfordsburn and Castlewellan. The feedback so far is very positive – people really enjoy the walks and always want to know when the next one is planned. We would be delighted to hear from anyone who would like to take part. It could be the start of many new friendships and will certainly add an inch to your step.”

If you would like to join a Cancer Focus walking group, or if you’d like to volunteer as a leader, please contact Morag Chamberson 028 9066 3281 or email moragchambers@cancerfocusni.org.

For more details about Cancer Focus’s free services log onto www.cancerfocusni.org or call on 9066 3281.

-ends-

For further information please contact:

Pauline Wylie, PR & Events Manager, Cancer Focus on

028 9066 3281 / 07810 371118

or

Niamh Callan, PR & Events Assistant, Cancer Focus on

028 9066 3281 / 07825 300363