IN June, Ann Johnson will join more than 1000 people on the second Ribbon Walk in the Peak District to raise funds for Breast Cancer Care. She tells Carmel Thomason, why, less than a year after her diagnosis, she's ready to face the challenge.

THE sight of 1,000 walkers all following the same trail, with the same goal – to raise much-needed funds for a cause close to their hearts, is as breathtaking as the countryside they are passing through.

The Ribbon Walk for Breast Cancer Care is an inspiration. It's a celebration of life as well as a mark of determination to help and support those who are affected by breast cancer to continue to live a full and active life.

Last year was the first event, raising £330,000 for the charity. At that time, Ann Johnson, from Swinton, had only recently been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Radical treatment

She was diagnosed on May 11, 2006. Following a right mastectomy two weeks later, she underwent six months of chemotherapy and 15 sessions of radiotherapy.

“You never know what's going to happen,” says Ann in a matter-of-fact way. “I thought I would never be ill. When I was diagnosed that was the first sick note I'd ever had.

“When I was told I had cancer the doctor said, 'You just do what you want to do,' and that's stuck with me.

“You've got to try to live as normal a life as possible. You get on the treadmill of seeing surgeons, oncologists, radiologists and while you are going through your treatment it is hard, but you've got to remember there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

End of the tunnel

Ann has now emerged through that tunnel of treatment, her energy is returning and she's keen to raise her fitness levels again.

As part of that the 50-year-old has signed up for the 10-mile Derbyshire Ribbon Walk on June 23.

“I wanted a target,” she explains. “I've always been fairly active and during my illness I did find it very difficult because of a lack of energy. My legs felt they didn't belong to me – five minutes round the block was all I could manage.

“Now my treatment has finished I really want to increase my energy and fitness levels. I thought walking would be better than going to an aerobics class because I can do it at my own pace.

Keep going

“With walking you can go as long as you want or stop and turn around.

“You don't need to pay fitness clubs and, now the nights are lighter, even if you just do 10 minutes out and 10 minutes back – you will feel an improvement doing that three times a week.”

Over the past few weeks, Ann has been building up her fitness gradually and is now regularly walking three miles.
“I couldn't walk 100 yards at Christmas just after my last chemotherapy,” she remembers. “Now I'm walking three miles and I'm building that up.

“Some days I am going to feel tired and on those days I don't have to go out and exercise – it's not as if I've paid a gym membership, so I'm not wasting anything.

Aim high

“But I also know that it's easy to get lazy and not bother. That is why I wanted a target to work towards and by doing the Ribbon Walk for Breast Cancer Care I feel I'm putting something back at the same time.

“It doesn't daunt me in any way. Ten miles is not that far really, when you think you are doing it with 1,000 people it will go very quickly.”

To take part in Breast Cancer Care's Ribbon Walk on Saturday, June 23, call 0870 145 0101. There are two routes to choose from, a 10-mile and a 20-mile walk. 

In addition to the £30 entry fee each participant must raise a minimum of £250 sponsorship.

The walk is designed to be challenging but achievable and is open to men and women over 16 of all abilities.

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