ABC Diagnosis raises over £15,000 to provide exercise retreats for patients with breast cancer
Saddleworth woman, Jo Taylor of ABC Diagnosis, inspires women with cancer and their friends and family to take on the Saddleworth Three Peak challenge, adding over £5,700 to the 2nd year of fundraising.
Diggle – 27 May 2023
Jo Taylor, who herself has secondary breast cancer and over 20 people took on an epic challenge – walking the Three Peaks of Saddleworth, in support of ABC Diagnosis, an organisation providing support and exercise retreats for people with breast cancer. Past attendees of the abcd motivational exercise retreats, a mixture of primary and secondary breast cancer patients, friends and family members joined in the challenge and helping to fundraise for abcd to continue the support for the retreats.
Alongside Alan and Gaynor Keane of UP Projects (www.uprojects.co.uk), who support Jo with the retreats, this is the 2nd challenge to bring past attendees together and raise vital funds to help the retreats continue. Sadly, a number of previous attendees of the retreats have since died of secondary breast cancer – the group remembered the friends they have lost on the last peak.
Jo commented “these retreats are fantastic, and some of the attendees wanted to support them going forward. Last year we had an idea to create a challenge to do a Three Peaks of Saddleworth hike. We had a large group of people who took part in this challenge together on Saturday 27th May which was a very hot day which certainly added to the challenge. Attendees came from the North West area, Leicester, London and Aberdeen came back to Saddleworth to take part in what was a longer than last years’ hike of just over 10 miles which took them 8 hours. Jo said “It’s a real group effort and wonderful that they are doing so much to support abcd and pay it forward for future attendees is inspirational”
Jo explained “There is a small non-refundable deposit that patients have to pay due to increased costs attending the retreat. But everything apart from travel, evening meals and drinks on the retreat are free. This includes 2 nights at a local B&B, guided exercise and support, delivered on the 2 day weekend experience. Patients have space on their own but they meet other people in the same situation as them, make new friends and find support. Attendees surprise themselves with what they can achieve, peer support and meeting other people with a lived experience is hugely important and beneficial to their wellbeing. Physical activity is very important both physically AND mentally for patients and we wanted others to get the same buzz that I get from exercise.”
ABC Diagnosis work in partnership with local businesses to support the retreats, so at the same time supporting the economy of the local community. Jo has people who’ve attend from all over the UK, some patients have come from the South of England as far as the Isle of Wight, as well as recently from Guernsey! In fact, all corners of the UK, Wales, flying in from Ireland and travelling from Scotland. There is such a significant need for this type of support.
Three of the patients doing the challenge have secondary breast cancer which can include their bones, liver, lungs and brain – these are the places secondary breast cancer travel to. Some of them have SBC in multiple areas. They will show that even with this disease, they can still keep active and fit, which is vital to their wellbeing – they are certainly not defined by cancer.
Additionally, the National Lottery have again supported the retreats with a £10,000 grant that will go towards the cost of 3 of the weekends. The retreats are extremely popular and are fully booked for 2023.
After Breast Cancer Diagnosis is an organisation and network offering peer to peer support for people with breast cancer. Aiming to reduce fear, anxiety and isolation, while supporting them to resume normal life, living both with and beyond cancer.
Support can be given to this great initiative by donating here gofund.me/313b3805
Facts
Over 250 people have attended the abcd retreats in the last 7 years.
*Over 55,000 patients are diagnosed with primary breast cancer every year.
*11,500 die every year from secondary breast cancer which is the biggest killer of women with cancer under the age of 50 therefore support is vital for patients.
*Breast Cancer Now statistics
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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