Locals have been donning their pink shirts and getting into the outdoors for the 100k’s in 30 days challenge.
Local breast surgeon Ros Pochin, who is the ambassador for the Nelson Regional Gynaecological Breast Cancer Trust, says the trust supports women in the Nelson Marlborough region who are going through breast cancer in terms of practical things they need.
The trust provides things such as blankets, help during chemotherapy, assistance with doing the groceries.
“It’s all those types of things that really matter when you’re pretty under the pump and feeling pretty awful,” Ros says.
100ks in 30 days raises funds for the trust, with all money staying local.
“It’s much more about helping women in their day-to-day life than about doing research,” Ros says.
Everyone has been completing the challenge differently, mixing walking, running, tramping and biking, but the aim is for individuals or teams to walk a total of 100kms between 1 and 30 May.
The Johnston Associates Nelson team got out in their lunch break earlier this month to add some kms to their tally.
“We’ve all been doing it individually, but it’s very accessible and it’s about what’s doable for you,” client manager Naina Mahto says.
Katrina Scorrar says the team jumped on board straight away to raise funds for the trust.
“From Johnston’s point of view, these guys are doing a great job supporting the community so, we were all really excited to be able to pitch in and help as a team and get a bit fit aswell.”
One in nine women will be affected by breast cancer during their lifetime and Ros says the trust is about putting these women first.
“Whenever you talk to women they worry about their kids, husband, job, they’re number four on the list and this [breast cancer] requires them to be number one so it requires a whole support crew to do the other stuff they always do because women do everything.”
Ros says research has also shown that exercise, getting mobile and keeping weight down is good in terms of reduction in breast cancer recurrence rates, which makes the challenge all the more worthwhile.
Go here to donate.
