Join Walk for Fun in Ayrshire and take steps to prevent cervical cancer
Ayrshire resident Suzanne Fernando is calling on others to take steps against cervical cancer by joining her on 15th June at 10.30am in Irvine’s Eglinton Country Park for Walk for Fun. The annual sponsored 5k walk marks Cervical Screening Awareness week (8-14 June) and Suzanne is leading the walk and is passionate about the cause after facing a diagnosis of cervical cancer herself.
Suzanne Fernando who was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2000 says, “When I was 8 months pregnant with my second daughter the doctor discovered a tumour in my cervix. Following the birth I also immediately underwent a hysterectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, going through a cancer diagnosis and caring for a newborn was the toughest challenge.”
“Walk for Fun is a positive, uplifting and enjoyable fundraiser to be involved with whilst also raising funds for the fantastic work that Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust does in supporting women affected by this disease and campaigning for cervical cancer prevention. This is the second time we have organised a walk at Eglinton Park , raising over £1000 in 2013. We’re now hoping to make it bigger and better each year.”
Walk for Fun is an opportunity for the whole family to fundraise and raise awareness of cervical cancer and the importance of cervical screening. In 2013 Walk for Fun across the UK raised over £30,000. Proceeds from the walks go to Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, the UK’s only dedicated cervical cancer charity offering support and information for those affected by cervical cancer and cervical abnormalities.
Robert Music, Chief Executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said: “Every day nine women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and three women will lose their battle to the disease. Yet cervical cancer is largely preventable thanks to the cervical screening programme which saves around 5,000 lives every year.”
“Walk for Fun is a great way for the public to not only make a difference to the lives touched by cervical cancer but crucially to help prevent many more lives from being touched by the disease. For many who join us on the day it’s also an opportunity to remember those who have sadly lost their battle to the disease.”
For more information or to sign up for the Walk for Fun in Irvine’s Eglinton Country Park on the 15th June 2014 go to http://www.jostrust.org.uk/walkforfun or contact Judith Witting – Judith@jostrust.org.uk or call 020 7250 8311.