Published on: 6 November 2024
An exercise event which encourages cancer patients and their loved ones to keep active through gentle exercise and offers a listening ear has marked its first year.
The 5k Your Way Move Against Cancer was launched last autumn and is part of a national network of events. It is held on the last Saturday of each month alongside the Silkworth ParkRun.
It can be walked, jogged or run, with people also welcome to just pop along for a chat and a drink if they wish.
It is led by colleagues from South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust who volunteer their time and is open to cancer patients past and present, their family members and friends.
Macmillan Urology Nurse Specialists Nicola Elves, Hayley Dodds, Carla Ferreira and Bronia Thomas help lead the gathering alongside Consultant Urologist Alice Hartley and retired Consultant Urologist Trevor Armitage.
Sometimes their own family members join in, while Nicola’s dog Ernie is the event’s four-legged mascot.
The STSFT 5K Your Way walkers have celebrated a year of hosting the event.
The event’s benefits include:
- Reduces cancer fatigue
- Helps to preserve cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness
- May reduce chemotherapy side-effects
- Improves psychological well-being and reduces anxiety
- May reduce risk of cancer recurrence and prolong survival
- It is social and its fun
In addition to marking the 12-month anniversary, the Urology Team based at Sunderland Royal Hospital have hosted a stall to help share the message to visitors about the event.
Consultant Urologist Alice Hartley, patient David Taylor, Macmillan Cancer Care Coordinator Alex Harris, Macmillan Urology Nurse Specialists Hayley Dodds and Nicola Elves and patient Richard Kirk at a 5k Your Way stall at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
Nicola said:
"We were delighted to mark a year since we launched 5k Your Way Move Against Cancer gathering and had a really good reception when we hosted our session to encourage others to join in as they visited out hospital.
"The 5k is open to anyone who is living with or beyond cancer, their families, friends and other healthcare professionals too. All ages can come along and lots of us just walk the route and others do as little or as much as they like.
"While keeping fit and active is really important while people undergo treatment or are recovering, the benefit of getting out and meeting others is immeasurable.
"For anyone who might feel shy about coming along, please give it a try. It’s really friendly and welcoming and not at all competitive, we’re just here to listen, have a chat and offer any support if needed."
The group meets at 8.45am for a 9am start on the path near to Silksworth Sports Complex and Ski Slope, SR3 1PD.
Anyone who would like more information can email silksworthgroup@5kyourway.org and register via www.5kyourway.org/register.
Our Trust hosts a Cancer Information Hub on our website. It offers health and wellbeing help to those who are facing or have been given a diagnosis. It can also offer support to family and friends.
It can be found through its own Cancer Information Hub page.
