Health worker prepares to Walk All Over Cancer
Dog lover, Debs Jones is used to getting in her daily steps as part of her job involves meeting GPs and NHS teams every day.
The Devon & Somerset health professional facilitator is part of a Cancer Research UK team, whose role is to support cancer prevention, doctors referrals, and promote healthy lifestyles in the county and the south west.
She is supporting Cancer Research UK’s ‘Walk All Over Cancer’ campaign which asks people to walk 10,000 steps a day, every day in March, and raise money for the charity’s life-saving research.
Debs, from South Molton, explained: “A large part of my role means I offer tailored, practical support to GP practice staff and NHS teams to influence their management of suspected cancer cases, helping achieve earlier diagnosis – which leads to better outcomes for patients
“The team provide face to face training and support and facilitate local action planning as well as improve communication between primary (General Practice) and secondary (hospital specialist) care and influence and enhance strategic planning of NHS services.
She added: “I enjoy walking and I come up with some of my best problem-solving ideas for work, while out in the fresh air with my animals – a good walk is so good for clearing the mind.
She added: “So It’s up to you how, where and when you take your 10,000 steps. You can take on the Walk All Over Cancer challenge on your own or with family, friends and colleagues.”
Alison Birkett, Cancer Research UK spokeswoman for the South West, said: “We hope lots of people will be inspired to follow in Deb’s footsteps.
“Taking part in Walk All Over Cancer is a great way to help Cancer Research UK – and keep your hound happy too.
“Based on the average person’s strides, 10,000 steps is equal to about five miles, which is quite a challenge for many people. But adopting small changes that you can stick too – from walking to work or taking the stairs instead of the lift – will help make the goal feel achievable.
“Not only will taking on the challenge help raise money, but it has health benefits too. Moderate exercise can help build stamina, burn calories and keep a healthy body weight, which reduces the risk of 13 different types of cancer.
“Walking has positive effects on the body mind too - it can generate a sense of well-being and help people think more creatively.”
Alison added: “Cancer survival has doubled since the early 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress – but every step our doctors, nurses and scientists take relies on donations from the public and the tireless fundraising of our supporters.
“There are over 200 types of cancer and we need continued investment in research to help us find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat them. That’s why we need people to step up to the challenge and Walk All Over Cancer.”
To sign up and receive a fundraising pack, with tips and ideas to help with the challenge, visit cruk.org/walkallover
