independent Cornish news and comment

North Cornwall: Breast cancer walk

This October people around the county have been persuaded to ‘think pink’ in order to raise funds for charity as part of Breast Cancer Awareness month.


It is hoped that as many people as possible will think of original ways of generating money for Cancer Research UK. Indeed, many will stage a pink party, dress in the colour for a day or sell pink badges to the public in the street.

Sadly as many as eleven women in the South West are diagnosed with breast cancer every day. Moreover, national figures show the number is rising by around two per cent every year.

Yet there is still some vestige of hope. Crucially, improvements in treatment and detection have led to a 21 per cent fall in the cancer death rate over the last ten years.

According to researchers into cancer it is possible to claim that many factors contribute to a rise in disease, including lifestyle and diet. Men are also at risk, with around 250 cases diagnosed in the UK every year.

Significantly, one of the ways both men and women, their family and their friends have assisted further research is by participating in the ‘Making Strides’ ten-kilometre walk at Lanhydrock House in October.

Participants included breast cancer survivors, people taking part in memory of loved ones and friends and those who simply want to raise money for charity.

The event in aid of Cancer Research UK has been popular since its introduction some three years ago, said Sam Williams, Cornwall community fundraiser for the organisation. She stated:

‘It is a lovely walk and people can bring picnics to enjoy after….We are hoping around 200 will take part and we would like people to sign up for the event in advance so we can send out sponsor forms….Of course the walk is not the only way people can fundraise during Breast Cancer Awareness month. People can stage their own pink events and we are encouraging fundraisers to enter into the spirit and do whatever they like for the cause.’