Manchester research nurse urges north west to Walk All Over Cancer

A Greater Manchester nurse is calling on men and women to Walk All Over Cancer and help raise money for vital research.

Clare Dickinson, a Cancer Research UK senior research nurse at the Christie Hospital, is urging people to sign up now and get sponsored to walk 10,000 steps a day in March to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

In her role, Clare works with cancer patients and doctors and nurses to facilitate clinical trials. Clare also works closely with the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, part of The University of Manchester and currently based at Alderley Park, in Cheshire.

Clare, a mum-of-one, from Cheadle, Stockport, said: “My job means I know first-hand how important research is to cancer patients being treated now and to make better, kinder treatments available for future generations.

“Everyone knows nurses can walk miles and miles every day, going up and down the wards or from one clinic to another. That’s why I’m calling on people in the North West to go the distance with us by signing up to Walk All Over Cancer and raising money to help beat the disease.”

She continued: “It’s up to you how, where and when you take you 10,000 steps. You can take on the Walk All Over Cancer challenge on your own or with family, friends and colleagues.”

Keeping check on the number of steps taken each day has never been easier, with many smartphone apps, pedometers and wearable activity trackers.

Alison Barbuti, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for the North West, said: “Signing up to Walk All Over Cancer is a great way to kick-start a healthier lifestyle, now that Spring is just around the corner.”

She added: “Walking 10,000 steps is equal to about five miles, based on the average person’s strides. That’s quite a challenge for many people. But adopting small lifestyle changes – from walking to work or taking the stairs instead of the lift – can help make the goal feel achievable.”

“And for anyone who wants to push themselves further, there’s the opportunity to commit to 20,000 steps a day.”

In the North West, more than a quarter (27 percent) of people are getting less than 30 minutes of physical activity a week.

Not only will taking on the challenge help raise money, it has health benefits as well. Moderate exercise can help build stamina, burn excess calories and protect against a range of diseases including cancer.

Walking 10,000 steps at a brisk pace could burn roughly 500 calories – the same as 5 slices of margherita pizza.

Alison continued: “By signing up now, there’s time to plan ways to fit in some extra steps in March. Everyone who gets sponsored to go those extra miles will be making a real difference to the 110 people diagnosed with cancer every day in the North West.

“Cancer survival has doubled since the early 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress – but every step our doctors, nurses and scientists take relies on donations from the public and the tireless fundraising of our supporters.”

• www.cancerresearchuk.org