Walk All Over Cancer is a fundraising campaign organised by Cancer Research UK. The campaign encourages people to set a daily step goal for the month of March and to walk every day to raise funds for cancer research. Supporters can set their own step targets based on their fitness level and personal goals. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of regular physical activity in reducing cancer risk and improving overall health, while also raising funds to support cancer research and initiatives. It is estimated that there are currently 3 million people living with cancer in the UK, rising to 3.5 million by 2025, 4 million by 2030, and 5.3 million by 20401.
Lisa O’Leary, Clinical Trials Administrator at MAC Clinical Research is participating in Walk All Over Cancer by walking 10,000 steps a day to fundraise for the cause. She has answered some questions on why she has taken part in the initiative.
Q: What inspired you to participate in the Walk All Over Cancer challenge and what does this initiative mean to you personally?
A: At the beginning of the year, I promised myself I would get out more because working from home and not connecting with people regularly was getting difficult. When a colleague (thanks Lewis!) mentioned the Walk All Over Cancer initiative, it was perfect. I’ve taken part in Cancer Research fundraising before, as recently as last year when I did their skipping challenge because it means a lot to me – a close family member of mine & my partners has recently gone into remission from prostate cancer and it shook the family when he was diagnosed, as well as seeing him suffer through treatment. He’s still suffering the repercussions such as depression and other physical challenges. I like to think that even just the small amount I can raise now can help go towards more efficient & faster diagnosis and support after remission.
Q: How do you manage to achieve the goal of 10,000 steps every day?
A: It really helps to have a dog with endless energy. Before this challenge, I loved taking her to all her favourite places – the seaside, the park, Pets at Home (she loves picking her own toys and we spoil her…) – but they’re all quite a distance from my house. Since starting this challenge, I’ve been leaving the car at home when I take her to her favourite spots, which gets my step count up. The only downside is that she’s usually tuckered out by the time we get there so she doesn’t play as much – I’m not sure the ducks at the park are complaining though, she loves a game of chase.
Q: What creative ways have you found to reach your step count?
A: I mean, there are boring things I do like step aerobics in the house when the weather is rubbish, walking laps around my living room when I’m on the phone or in a meeting and I also have a smart watch that will remind me to move every hour if I’ve been sat at my desk for too long (usually I’d just do a stretch but it’s served as a great reminder to do a couple laps around the kitchen just to stretch my legs, or walk outside for a few minutes for some fresh air). But the most creative way I’ve found to up my step count is to play Just Dance on the Switch! I’ve had evenings where I was worried I wouldn’t reach my goal and invited friends round to play and before you know it you’ve done the equivalent of 2,500 steps – it’s a workout too which is a bonus!
Q: How has participating in Walk All Over Cancer affected your awareness of cancer research and prevention?
A: I knew a lot about Cancer Research UK anyway from my other fundraising and because cancer is something that has affected people around me, but this specifically really opened my eyes to what money raised can go towards. For instance, on my fundraising page, it breaks it down to show you that £25 can kit out labs, buying either 500 test tubes, 5 boxes of gloves, 5 beakers or a Bunsen burner; £50 can pay for restriction enzymes which cut strands of DNA to help to find out what genes can cause cancer; £100 could pay for a cancer biopsy; £150 can fund a team of researchers in Manchester for half a day, where they’re trying to diagnose and monitor lung cancer in a less invasive way. So far, we’ve raised £102 which is such a great contribution, particularly when you break down what that could be going towards.
Q: Have you connected with other participants during the challenge?
A: I haven’t personally as I’m not on social media but signing up unlocks a private Facebook page where everyone discusses their good and bad days, share their stories and experiences and their goals for fundraising. It’s such a fantastic way to keep in touch for those who are social media-savvy. That’s not to say I’m doing it alone though – I always get my partner involved in walks, as well as my sister and my friends. It’s a great excuse to walk up to the park for a coffee or to the seaside for some fresh air – there’s always someone who’s willing to come with me; it really just gives us an excuse to catch up. If all else fails, my dog would never turn down a walk!
Like Lisa, you can participate in charity events to raise money for good causes, but you can also help improve people’s health by volunteering for clinical trials covering a wide range of conditions. If you are interested in taking part in a clinical trial and helping to advance healthcare, you can register for one of MAC’s clinical trials via our current trials webpage.
If you are eligible for one of our clinical trials, you may receive financial reimbursement for your time and commitment. You will also receive travel expenses and a full health check-up from our specialist team.
1 Macmillan – statistics fact sheet
