Rochdale walks all over cancer

Date published: 15 May 2023

A groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind, cancer awareness-raising event was held at Rochdale Football Club as part of a new drive to combat an issue that directly affects more than 1,000 people in the borough each year.

The ‘Rochdale Walks All Over Cancer’ event highlighted the services available and encouraged people to be screened when invited. In 2020/21, the number of new cases of cancer detected in the borough of Rochdale alone was 1,129.

During the day, there were stalls with information and private spaces where people talked to experts for advice and support. Representatives from The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Macmillan Cancer Support, Springhill Hospice, Cancer Research UK and many others were also present and hundreds of local people visited throughout the afternoon.

Later, the room was transformed to accommodate a sold-out fashion show complete with a catwalk. The evening started with a specially produced short poem shared on video from Early Doors actor John Henshaw, of the importance of screening, followed by local resident Paul Openshaw talking about his cancer journey.

They were followed by 20 models, many of whom were also cancer survivors, showing off outfits donated by local clothing outlets.

Many of the models said they had found new confidence in themselves after overcoming one of the worst fears in their lives and wanted to share their stories to inspire and empower other people going through similar journeys.

Director of public health and wellbeing, Kuiama Thompson said: “We are really proud that we brought this event to the borough of Rochdale, as we want to continually raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and encourage people to take up screening. We are all about saving lives.

“The day was about raising awareness, sharing stories, providing information about services, promoting screening and celebrating our cancer heroes.

“We urge everyone to get screened when they have been invited, and if something doesn’t feel right please go to your GP; screening and early diagnosis has saved thousands of lives.”