Walk the Walk, the charity best known as organiser of the iconic MoonWalk London fundraising event, has offered its continued support to fund Lewis-Manning Hospice Care’s Lymphoedema Clinics for cancer patients at the AECC University College in Bournemouth.

A  grant of £46,000 has been gifted, which will enable the local Dorset hospice charity to not only continue to offer the essential service that their Lymphoedema Service Clinic offers for cancer patients in east Dorset and west Hampshire but also to extend the important support from 2 to 3 days a week, and recruit an additional specialist lymphoedema nurse to join their team.

CEO Clare Gallie said: “With very generous support from Walk the Walk, we established a new closer to home Lymphoedema clinic at AECC near Bournemouth, which launched in 2022, where we can deliver even more specialist care for people living with secondary Lymphoedema, in east Dorset and west Hampshire.

“Lymphoedema is swelling caused by a build-up of fluid in the body’s tissues. Some people develop lymphoedema after treatment for breast cancer such as surgery or radiotherapy to the lymph nodes under the arm and surrounding area.

“The swelling commonly affects the arm and can include the hand and fingers. Swelling can also affect the breast, chest, shoulder, or the area on the back behind the armpit. Lymphoedema is a chronic condition, which means that once it has developed it can be controlled but is unlikely to ever go away completely.

“It is amazing that we can expand these important Lewis-Manning Hospice Care services. I know the support our nurses give through these clinics and treatments can be life changing for patients. Huge thanks must be offered to our funders, Walk the Walk, for their continued commitment and great kindness.”

Walk the Walk Founder and Chief Executive Nina Barough CBE added: “I am delighted that Walk the Walk is able to make a further grant to Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, allowing its Lymphoedema clinic to expand and help even more cancer patients at a time when they need it most.

“Lymphoedema can be one of the most painful side effects of cancer treatment and Lewis Manning’s role in providing their  “Closer to Home” project  in Dorset for patients with this condition is absolutely crucial. We are thrilled to not only having helped them initiate the project, but through its success, continue to help them develop this life-changing service.

“Grants like this one to Lewis-Manning Hospice Care are very exciting news for Walk the Walk’s wonderful fundraisers – I cannot thank these fantastic people enough!

“Sign up now for our flagship overnight fundraising event The MoonWalk London on Saturday 18th May – you’ll join thousands of women and men walking an overnight half or full marathon through the city’s streets, wearing decorated bras or colourful bra t-shirts.

“It’s an incredible, fun-filled fiesta of a night, bringing so many people together, all putting one front in front of the other and achieving a personal goal,  whilst helping others. Come and see for yourself, it is breathtaking!”

• For more information and to sign up now for The MoonWalk London 2024, go to www.walkthewalk.org

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