Anyone can sign up and get a free fundraising pack by clicking HERE. Those taking part will be raising vital funds to further the charity’s life-saving research as well as burning off any remaining Christmas calories.
Cancer Research has an ambition that by the year 2034 three in four people diagnosed with cancer will survive the disease.
Pictured: Cancer Research UK hopes individuals and families will sign up to get outdoors and welcome in the spring by walking 10,000 steps a day in March.
“One in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime, but all of us can support the research that will beat it. That’s why we’re urging people to play their part by making ‘Walk All Over Cancer’ their New Year’s resolution,” said Lynn Daly, the charity’s spokesperson for Guernsey and the other Channel Islands.
“We all hope that 2022 has a more positive outlook. So why not give yourself a boost by committing to get more active and having an achievable goal to aim for – all in aid of a good cause.
“There’s plenty of time for supporters to start building up to the challenge in March and planning new ways to fit in some extra steps, especially if you’re struggling to hit your daily step count when working from home.
“Sticking to a resolution can be hard, especially through the cold, dark winter months, but registering now and making a public pledge to take part in the spring could help people steel their resolve. Plus, there’s the ultimate motivation of knowing every step you take will be helping to save lives.”
Based on the average person’s strides, participants are likely to have walked more than 150 miles by the end of the challenge on 31 March.
Keeping count of the number of steps walked each day is easy with smartphone apps, pedometers or wearable activity trackers. People can also make a well-informed estimate of steps walked in any given period of time. Participants with FitBit’s can connect them to their online Walk All Over Cancer page to publish their steps count and share their progress throughout March.
Pictured: Cancer Research UK works with Southampton Hospital, where most patients from Guernsey go if they need to receive cancer treatment off-island.
“Cancer Research UK has been hit hard by covid-19, but we will never stop striving to create better treatments. Cancer is as urgent an issue now as it’s ever been,” said Ms Daly.
“We need as many people as possible to Walk All Over Cancer because the progress we make in the fight against the disease relies on every step, every pound and every person.
“This past year proves, more than any other, the value of research and what can be achieved together. Just like science is our route out of the pandemic, science is our route to beating cancer.”
Last year, Cancer Research spent £27million in the South East of England alone, which includes Southampton, where most cancer patients from Guernsey receive treatment if they need to go off-island.
“As well as increasing fitness and helping towards a healthy body weight, taking part could take a little weight off the mind too. Regular walking is a great stress-reliever and can help with mental wellbeing by improving mood and sleep,” said the charity.