A cancer survivor is launching a new support group in conjunction with Penrith parkrun.
Shiona Anderton, of Brougham, is being joined by friend Sarah Newby, of Yanwath, in setting up an Eden group of the national 5K Your Way Move Against Cancer initiative.
The 5KYW groups support people all over the country, but the new Penrith group is the only one in Cumbria.
The two women were inspired to become ambassadors for the group after 51-year-old Shiona, who works at Ghyllmount Dental Practice, in Penrith, was diagnosed with breast cancer in March, 2020.
As the nation was plunged into lockdown, Shiona started treatment. It was a difficult time when it was not possible to see friends and connect with direct support. She sought online support and researched the positive impact of exercise.
Now classed as a cancer survivor, she is keen to use her research and experiences to help others by setting up the support group.
Alongside her throughout her journey has been her friend Sarah, 50, who is business manager at Lowther Endowed School.
Sarah is also a qualified fitness instructor and personal trainer and when Shiona discovered how exercise can help those with cancer, Sarah was eager to get on board.
She undertook courses to become a cancer rehabilitation and exercise specialist and now also runs weekly online Living Beyond Cancer exercise classes.
“It’s having the knowledge and training to realise the impact of exercise on cancer suffers and also being very aware of their limitations and the implications surgery and chemotherapy can have,” said Sarah.
“You have to be very careful and it’s having the knowledge of what their going through and how to cater the exercises to them.”
The 5K Your Way group is for people affected by cancer in any way — whether it is patients, carers or organisations.
The community-based initiative encourages those living with and beyond cancer, families, friends and those working in cancer services to walk, jog, run, cheer or volunteer at a local 5k Your Way parkrun event.
Shiona and Sarah will hold their first group meeting at Penrith parkrun, held at Frenchfield, tomorrow, and meet there on the last Saturday of every month.
Sarah added: “We run parkrun the same as everyone else but we are there as a comfort blanket and to create a nice little community. At our first week we have a woman coming who organises walks for people affected by cancer so it’s helping to get people connected.
“There’s not a lot in Cumbria, we are limited for support, but hopefully that will change with the new cancer centre in Carlisle opening.
“We are hoping we will provide a support network and a feeling of togetherness and encourage people to exercise and connect with others.”
