Tag: breast cancer

Party like a Mad Hatter and celebrate ten years of MoonWalking

‘Have I gone mad? I’m afraid so, but let me tell you something: the best people usually are!’ – Alice in Wonderland

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Thousands of women, men and children across Edinburgh can be excused for having a leisurely lie-in this morning – they’re saving their energy for tonight’s big Moonwalk event at Inverleith Park!

This is the tenth birthday of The MoonWalk Scotland, and this year’s special theme is The Mad Hatter’s Midnight Tea Party. And, although the MoonWalk itself is fully subscribed, you can still enjoy the party!

Highlights include Radio Forth presenters – and hosts for the evening – Grant Stott and Arlene Stuart and Scotland’s very own fabulous Red Hot Chilli Pipers. The fun kicks off at Walk the Walk’s Pink Palace in Inverleith Park from 8pm

While the night’s sure to be a lot of fun, there is of course a serious point to MoonWalk too. The MoonWalk Scotland has raised over £18 million to date, with most of the money raised staying in Scotland to help improve the lives of people with cancer.

So to those thousands of people who will traipse through the streets of Edinburgh at midnight – many wearing Walk the Walk’s trademark brightly decorated bras – whether you’re walking New Moon (6.55 miles), Half Moon (13.1 miles), Full Moon (26.2 miles) or Over The Moon (52.4 miles) – we salute you!

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For more information go to www.walkthewalk.org/moonwalkscotland

Teaming up to fight breast cancer

walk the walkScotland’s Health Secretary Shona Robison endorsed a new partnership between MoonWalk organisers breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, Paths for All and Young Scot earlier today.

The three groups have united to encourage Scots not only to get fit but also to raise both money and awareness in the fight against cancer.

Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk the Walk said: “I am thrilled that in this the 10th Anniversary year of The MoonWalk Scotland, these two wonderful organisations Paths for All and Young Scot are uniting with us to help encourage people of all ages in Scotland to get fit and at the same time raising money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer.

“To have the continued support of The Health Secretary, Shona Robison, is such a fantastic endorsement of the difference that Walk the Walk is continuing to make in Scotland both in keeping people active and by the grants that we make to improve the lives of those living with cancer.”

Ian Findlay, Chief Officer of Paths for All said: “We’re delighted to partner with Walk the Walk to promote this amazing event which unites people in walking for a brilliant cause. It is great to work with Walk the Walk to raise funds, but also to highlight the importance of being active for our health. Indeed, 30 minutes of daily physical activity, such as walking can reduce your risk of developing breast cancer and is a gentle way for those in recovery to stay active.

“It is brilliant to see the The MoonWalk have shorter walks such as The New Moon, so that more people can take part in this fabulous event. Look out for the Paths for All team enjoying the fun on the night!”

David McNeill, Entitlements and Rewards Director at Young Scot, said: “Hundreds of young people and their families are affected by breast cancer every year and we know it’s a topic that many hold close to their hearts. We are delighted to be involved in the 10th Anniversary event and support and encourage young people to participate in The MoonWalk Scotland by offering Young Scot Reward points. It’s a great way to meet other people, have fun, and enjoy the health benefits of walking – we wish everyone the best of luck!”

This year’s MoonWalk takes place on Saturday 13 June at Inverleith Park, when thousands of women, men and children will walk through the streets of Edinburgh at Midnight, with those aged 13 and over wearing Walk the Walk’s trademark brightly decorated bras.

To date, The MoonWalk Scotland has raised almost £18 million, with most of the money raised staying in Scotland to help improve the lives of people with cancer.

Walk the Walk has made grants in Scotland to Maggie’s Cancer Care Centres in Glasgow, Larbert and Airdrie, for Scalp Cooling machines in hospitals throughout Scotland and to the Breast Cancer Institute in Edinburgh (renovation of Ward 6, a new theatre and renovation of the Mammography Unit).

The theme for this year’s event is ‘Mad Hatter’s Midnight Tea Party’ and four walking distances are available: New Moon (6.55 miles), Half Moon (13.1 miles), Full Moon (26.2 miles) and Over The Moon (52.4 miles).

For more information and for entry fees go to www.walkthewalk.org/moonwalkscotland 

Pictured: (L-R) Paths for All’s Frances Bain, Health Minister Shona Robison MSP, Sally Orr from Walk the Walk and Young Scot’s Ashton Vickers .

MoonWalk boost for Western’s Mammography Unit

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MoonWalkers transform Edinburgh’s Mammography Services!

 Care for breast patients in Edinburgh will be transformed thanks to the opening of a state-of-the-art Mammography Department at the Western General Hospital.

The upgraded and extended department at the Western General Hospital was funded by donations of £1.4 million raised by the annual MoonWalk Scotland in Edinburgh and the unit was officially opened by Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk the Walk Worldwide on Friday.

Walk the Walk, the charity which organises The MoonWalk, has been working in partnership with NHS Lothian and The Breast Cancer Institute to improve facilities and care for breast patients.

Over the last eight years, Walk the Walk has donated £1.5m for the construction of the new theatre in the breast unit, with NHS Lothian funding the remaining internal work. Another £500,000 from the charity has gone towards the £1 million revamp of Ward Six at the hospital, to transform it into a dedicated breast surgery ward.

Elaine Anderson, Clinical Director of Breast Services, said: “The opening of our extended Mammography Department will enhance the specialised diagnosis and care which we are able to offer to our patients. The Edinburgh Breast Unit has been at the forefront of developments in the treatment of breast cancer for 30 years and Walk the Walk’s assistance will ensure it stays there.”

Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk the Walk Worldwide, (pictured above (centre) and below) said:  “All of the Walk the Walk Team are delighted to see the completion of the new Mammography Unit at the Western General. 

“We have been granting funds for the projects at the Western for almost eight years, so with a new operating theatre, and the re-designed breast care ward, we have been able to help transform the facilities not only for the patients, but also the staff, so that those receiving and those giving care, feel supported by a nurturing and healing environment. MoonWalkers should feel very proud of what they have achieved for Edinburgh.”

Brian Houston, Chair, NHS Lothian, said: “It’s great to see the scope of facilities here in the mammography department. Patients from across Lothian will receive diagnostic care and treatment in a world-class facility.

“We are committed to providing patient-centred effective care and we recognise the importance of working in partnership with Walk the Walk on this particular project.”

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MoonWalk’s Psychedelic Extravaganza this Saturday

The streets of Edinburgh will be transported back to the Swinging Sixties this Saturday night!  After months of training, thousands of women and men wearing brightly decorated psychedelic bras will Power Walk through the streets of the capital at midnight …

Organised by grant-making breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, The MoonWalk has raised in excess of £15.5 million since 2006, with most of the money being granted in Scotland, to help improve the lives of people with cancer.

This year’s theme is “Psychedelic Extravaganza”, where anything groovy goes, as long as it’s bright and bold – a Magical Mystery Tour from the Swinging Sixties, full of Flower Power!

The walkers will start their amazing challenges from Walk the Walk’s huge Pink Tent at its new venue of Leith Links. Uniting against breast cancer, many iconic buildings across the city will be lit pink on the night, giving the walkers a huge collective hug. Amongst others, Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Yacht Britannia and Lloyds on The Mound will all be basking in a pink glow!

The charity’s fantastic walkers will be taking on two new Power Walking challenges this year. Anyone aged ten and over can do the quarter marathon New Moon (6.55 miles). For those seeking an extreme challenge, Walk the Walk has introduced the double marathon Over the Moon (52.4 miles). The famous Half Moon (13.1 miles) and Full Moon (26.2 miles) challenges are both still available.

STV Entertainment correspondent Laura Boyd will be taking on the Full Moon – Laura was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2009  and uses Maggie’s Cancer Care Centre at Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow, which is funded by Walk the Walk. Also walking are singer/songwriter Carrie Mac, as well as the editor of Good Housekeeping Magazine Lindsay Nicholson, on the second leg of her 3 Land Challenge, which also includes MoonWalks in London and Iceland.

Five MSP’s have signed up for The New Moon – Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton), Sarah Boyack (Lothian), Siobhan McMahon (Central Scotland), Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) and Drew Smith (Glasgow).

Entries for all the walking challenges are now closed, but Walk the Walk still wants more volunteers to sign up – a thousand are needed to help the event run smoothly.

There’s a variety of roles available, including route marshall, cycle marshall, water crew, clean and recycle team, and directional team (helping direct walkers, and other jobs on The MoonWalk City site).

To sign up as a volunteer for The MoonWalk Edinburgh Scotland please click here

New venue for Edinburgh Moonwalk

Leith Links will be the location for this year’s MoonWalk Edinburgh charity fundraiser, and while it’s a bit chilly to be thinking about such things just now, registration for the June event is now open!

New Year, New Moon, New You!

Grant-making breast cancer charity Walk the Walk is delighted to announce two new and very exciting Power Walking challenges for The MoonWalk Edinburgh Scotland on June 8. The event is also being held at a brand new venue – Leith Links.

Sign up for the New Moon and you can join a huge sleepover.  Not so much sleep, but you will be able to walk 6.6 miles, or get a team of four together to complete a Marathon between you. Best of all, whilst you wait for your turn to walk, you can snuggle up, eat popcorn and watch films in our huge pink tent. If you’ve never taken part in a Marathon, this is a great place to start.

Or if you are looking for the next extreme challenge, then the “Over the Moon” is for you. Two MoonWalks back to back, covering a distance of 52.4 miles!

Walk the Walk is still offering its famous Half Moon (13.1 miles) and Full Moon (26.2 miles) challenges, with all walkers uniting together to raise money and awareness for breast cancer.

All walkers over the age of 13 wear Walk the Walk’s trademark brightly decorated bras. This year’s theme is “Psychedelic Extravaganza”, where the swinging 60’s meets 2013!

The MoonWalk Edinburgh Scotland has raised in excess of £15 million since it was launched eight years ago. Most of the money raised stays in Scotland, helping to improve the lives of people with cancer. More than £1.5 million was raised by the 2012 event alone.

Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk The Walk said: “Anybody can do The MoonWalk. I have seen many women and men over the years commit to taking part, with no idea of how they are actually going to achieve it. Most of them have never done any regular exercise, let along taken part in a Marathon.
It really is wonderful that with the support of thousands of people in Scotland, Walk the Walk has succeeded in raising more than £15 million, making a huge difference to the lives of cancer patients across Scotland. We also know from the many thousands of letters we receive, that by taking part in The MoonWalk, we are helping people to become fitter and healthier, changing their lives for the better. So, come and join our Magical Mystery Tour, a Psychedelic Extravaganza, where anything goes, as long as it is bright and bold”!

Entries for The MoonWalk Edinburgh Scotland are now open. To enter and for more information about Walk the Walk, go to www.walkthewalk.org

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Inverleith Park gears up for Moonwalk 2012

The Arabian Nights will come to sedate old Inverleith Park tomorrow night with all the exotic mystery of the East – yes, it’s Moonwalk 2012!

Thousands of women – and more than a few men, too – will walk either the Full Moon (26.2 miles) or the Half Moon. As always, everybody will be wearing brightly decorated bras and this year’s theme is ‘Midnight at the Oasis’; organisers breast cancer charity Walk the Walk are looking forward to seeing some exotic and exciting creations!

Since the first MoonWalk Edinburgh in 2006, this iconic night has brought together ordinary women and men, not just from Scotland but from all over the World, to achieve an extraordinary personal challenge, whilst raising money to improve the lives of cancer patients in Scotland. With the support of over 60,000 walkers over the last 6 years, this one evening has raised in excess of £14 million and over £2 million in 2011 alone.

One in eight women in the UK are expected to experience some form of breast cancer, and statistics show that this type of cancer has accelerated faster in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK. Reports also show that 42% of all breast cancers could potentially be prevented by reducing alcohol intake, making changes to diet, becoming more active and, most mportantly, maintaining a healthy weight. Joining a Walk the Walk challenge for many is often that first, all-important step towards making vital life changes.

Organiser and founder of Walk the Walk, Nina Barough, said: “The MoonWalk Edinburgh is a very special night, not only for all the wonderful Scottish energy that unites us in this common bond, but I love and cherish the fact that we are making such a difference to the lives of so many people in Scotland with cancer, not just in the main cities but from coast to coast including people living in the Highlands and Islands. It really is a night when everybody can help to make a difference, not only towards their own health but the lives of many. It is probably the most dynamic and awe-inspiring night that you could experience.”

Walk the Walk’s volunteer team could use some extra help on the big night. Their appeal:

‘We really need your help to recruit more smiling faces to act as route marshals to guide, cheer and encourage our walkers round the route. We are also looking for some early morning drivers to patrol the route and respond to calls to pick up and transport marshals or walkers who can no longer continue their walk. Finally, perhaps you are a keen cyclist – you could be part of one of our cycle teams, supporting the static marshals and lending comfort and safety to walkers who may find themselves on their own or struggling. If you can help please come along to Inverleith Park from 2 pm on Saturday and we’ll sign you up.  Whatever time you can come, we’ll find you something to do!!  AND it’s great FUN!!’