International Women’s Day – an inspiring woman takes on The MoonWalk Scotland

Ahead of International Women’s Day, this Friday, 8 March, breast cancer charity, Walk the Walk, is celebrating the achievements of some of the inspirational Walkers who are taking on The MoonWalk Scotland later this year.

Christine McLaughlin, Chief Finance Officer for NHS Scotland in the Scottish Government is just one of the amazing women shaping our future and making a difference. As well as managing the budget for Health and Sport in Scotland, Christine is taking on The MoonWalk Scotland on Saturday 8 June after recently being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Talking about her diagnosis, Christine McLaughlin said:

 “I was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer in October 2018. I’d felt a very obvious lump in my breast and assumed it was a cyst. I’d been really healthy up until that point and had no history of breast cancer in my immediate family. Having said that, I had a very strong awareness of breast cancer and I also have a twin sister whose work is in developing oncology drugs. But it still wasn’t really in my mind that the lump would be cancer and I was convinced it was nothing to worry about.

I’ve just finished six rounds of chemotherapy over 18 weeks and am having a lumpectomy later this month and then radiotherapy.  Thankfully my cancer was caught early and there’s already been a 75 per cent reduction in the tumour from the chemotherapy, so the outcome so far is positive.

In my job, one of my many responsibilities is managing the capital budget for the NHS, which includes the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh – which is where I’m having my surgery in March and then radiotherapy, although I’ve had most of the rest of my treatment at St John’s Hospital in Livingston which is close to where I live.

A few weeks ago, I was sitting in the Breast Cancer Unit at the Western General and I saw a sign on the wall celebrating the grants which Walk the Walk has made. I’d already signed up for The MoonWalk Scotland at that point, but I hadn’t told everyone I was taking part, or indeed about my breast cancer. Having seen that Walk the Walk sign and the positive impact of the grant first hand, it gave me the courage to be more public about my own diagnosis and I decided to Tweet about my fundraising effort.

Through doing events like The MoonWalk and raising money, my goal is that everyone should be able to get all the help and support they need at whatever stage in their own cancer journey.”

In its 14^th year, The MoonWalk Scotland, organised by breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, has to date raised more than £21.3million. This is granted to make a difference to people in Scotland who are living with cancer now.

Do something positive this International Women’s Day and sign up to take part in The MoonWalk Scotland, Saturday 8^th June. Power Walk through the streets of Edinburgh at Midnight wearing a decorated bra, as you raise money and awareness for breast cancer charity, Walk the Walk. Sign up now: www.walkthewalk.org

The MoonWalk Scotland Hotline is 00 44 (0) 1483 741430

For all media enquiries including interviews and other case studies please contact:

Claire Duncan [email protected]g  01483 741430

Jen Broh [email protected] 01483 741430

To download free to use photos, including an image of Christine McLaughlin, click here.

Created by and in aid of Walk the Walk Worldwide raising money for vital breast cancer causes

Charity Number: SC029572

Notes to Editors:

    The MoonWalk Scotland 2019

• Saturday 8^th June 2019, Holyrood Park Edinburgh
• Four walking challenges are available: New Moon (6.55 miles), Half Moon (13.1 miles), Full Moon (26.2 miles), Over The Moon (52.4 miles)
• This year’s theme is ‘Circus’.
• The New Moon costs £32.50 for adults and £18 for Young Walkers aged 10-12
• The cost of entering the Half Moon and Full Moon is £49.50 – minimum age 13
• The cost of entering Over The Moon is £77.50 – minimum age 18. Walkers taking part in Over The Moon are asked to raise a minimum of £350 in sponsorship.
• Walkers taking part in the New Moon, Half Moon or Full Moon are asked to raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship, with Young Walkers asked to simply raise as much as they can.
• Walk the Walk is the principal funder of the Maggie’s Centre at Gartnavel, Glasgow and Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert. A grant was also made towards the Lanarkshire Centre in the grounds of Monklands Hospital in Airdrie. Maggie’s Centres offer support to people diagnosed with all types of cancer, as well as providing emotional support for their families.
• Walk the Walk has also funded the renovation of Ward 6, a new theatre and renovation of the Mammography Unit at the Breast Cancer Institute at Edinburgh’s Western General Hospital.
• Walk the Walk is committed to providing funding to hospitals across Scotland and the UK to purchase Scalp Cooling systems, special machines which are helping many people undergoing chemotherapy to retain their hair. Walk the Walk has funded 57 Scalp Coolers in 26 Scottish hospitals.

Walk the Walk

• Walk the Walk specialises in fitness and Power Walking challenges.
• HRH The Prince of Wales is the official Patron of Walk the Walk.
• Walk the Walk has so far raised in excess of £128 million.
• As a grant-making charity, all funds are raised for Walk the Walk and then granted to where the charity feels they will do the most good.
• Walk the Walk funds are granted to projects that not only support research, important to all our future health, but also support a variety of projects that are supporting cancer patients now throughout the UK.
• To date grants have been made to charities and organisations throughout the UK including Breast Cancer Now, The Breast Cancer Haven, Penny Brohn UK and hundreds of NHS Hospitals and Trusts for which we supply Scalp Cooling Systems.
• The charity also has a community grant fund which each year grants to smaller organisations. Helen Rollason Cancer Charity, Tenovus Cancer Care, The Christie, Cancer Kin, FACT and others, all receive funds which enable them to continue their work.
• ‘The MoonWalk’ is the flagship event of the charity currently held in Scotland, London and Iceland.