Radiographers join Beatson Cancer Charity's 8k step challenge

Beatson Cancer Charity is launching its 8k steps a day challenge to raise vital funds to support cancer patients across the west of Scotland.

The 8,000 steps walked each day represent the 8,000 new patients The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre treats each year.

The challenge runs for 30 days and can start and end whenever suits each person. It can be completed by walking to work instead of taking the car, by exercising during lunchtime breaks or simply by just making more time in the day to get some steps in.

Everyone who signs up will receive a free Beatson Cancer Charity t-shirt.

Once the challenge is completed, each person will have walked 240,000 steps – the equivalent of 100 miles or walking from Glasgow to Edinburgh and back.

Donna Caldwell and Chloe Wilkinson are Clinical Trials Radiographers in The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre. Their roles are partly funded by Beatson Cancer Charity, and both are taking part in the challenge.

Donna said: “I’ve worked in The Beatson for nearly 17 years and have seen firsthand the amazing support the charity provides for so many patients and their families.

“Getting involved in a challenge like this allows people to contribute to a cause they care about while doing something that boosts their own health and personal wellbeing. It’s an achievable goal that people can accomplish whilst raising awareness for a charity that supports so many people facing tough challenges every day.

“The generous funding from Beatson Cancer Charity supports the Radiotherapy Research Grant, which allows this role to continue. This facilitates the opening of Radiotherapy Clinical trials, increasing the opportunities for patients to participate in these trials. To me, the charity represents the chance to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

“I would encourage anyone considering this challenge to go for it. It’s an achievable challenge and allows you to make a difference and raise awareness for a noble cause.

“The experience will be rewarding, both personally and also in supporting the charity. I will be completing the challenge with our family pets, Penny and Mac, on our daily walks.”

Chloe Wilkinson, Clinical Trials Radiographer at The Beatson, will also be completing the trial alongside her colleague, Donna.

Chloe said: “Beatson Cancer Charity supports cancer patients throughout their journey and also supports radiotherapy research as well as clinical trials to improve patient outcomes. I would like to support the charity in return.

“By taking part in a challenge like this and raising money, you are indeed directly contributing to the charity and its great work but by wearing the charity’s t-shirt, using your social media to post the photos you’ve taken while getting your steps in and sharing your success, you are sharing the charity with a wider audience.

“Someone might just look up Beatson Cancer Charity’s website to find out more about the work they do – they might make a donation or even sign up to a challenge themselves. Indirect contributions, whilst unmeasurable, can be mighty.

“I am one of the Radiotherapy Clinical Trials Radiographers at The Beatson and my post is partly funded by Beatson Cancer Charity. We are part of the radiotherapy research infrastructure that helps set up radiotherapy clinical trials and makes them available to patients not only at The Beatson but across the west of Scotland.

“Whilst we have been in post, the number of radiotherapy clinical trials available to our patients has increased and the number of patients entering those trials has also increased. We want to continue to offer access to radiotherapy clinical trials and the generous funding from Beatson Cancer Charity enables us to do that.”