ABCD Saddleworth 3 Peak Challenge

Myself, Steve, and Emma are taking part in the ABCD Saddleworth 3 peak challenge on 3rd May to raise money for ABCD exercise retreats.

I was diagnosed with primary breast cancer in 2022 several months apart. After surgery and months of intensive treatment I were exhausted. I attended one of the ABCD retreats in the summer of 2023 which was an amazing weekend promoting exercise and providing a supportive and welcoming environment.

At the end of the of the walk we will be remembering all the women who previously attended retreats and have died from breast cancer in the last 8 years.

The money we raise from this challenge will go to funding further retreats for women who have received a breast cancer diagnosis.

After Breast Cancer Diagnosis is an organization and network offering peer to peer support for people with breast cancer. Aiming to reduce fear, anxiety and isolation, while supporting them to resume normal life, living both with and beyond cancer. ABCD was launched to help patients make INFORMED choices about breast cancer - it was to give a unique perspective from a patient and the patient voice providing a one stop shop signposting and providing information.

Jo the founder is an advocate for exercise even when going through treatment and there is now research to show how physical activity can help primary reducing the risk of recurrence as well as for secondary/metastatic breast cancer patients better quality of life, reduced side effects of treatment and not just the physical effects but helps with their mental health too, dealing with such a huge complex disease.

The motivational exercise retreats have been delivered for the last 8 years and we now support 5 retreats and 55 patients every year. Patients attend the exercise retreats and they spend 2 days with Jo and a team of exercise coaches, yoga and holistic therapists to experience Saddleworth and the outdoors. They experience walking, jogging, nordic walking, hill walking and yoga. The people who attend benefit hugely not just from physical activity but also create life long friendships and support with peer support being very important. They really are unique and there is nothing like them, being organized by a patient for patients.

The money that is raised supports a heavily subsidized 2 night weekend with all exercise, instructors, room hire and equipment.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and support ABCD.