The Stride for Health is an annual event held to raise awareness and to highlight the work of the two Alice Springs cancer support groups: Bosom Buddies breast cancer support group, and Alice Springs Prostate Cancer Support Group.
To be diagnosed with cancer today means that, particularly if the cancer is detected early, there is a much greater chance of long-term survival, and of cure. This is the key message our groups have in common, as we encourage people to be proactive in managing their health and wellbeing.
The Stride for Health is an important part of getting our messages across to the community. It is a family fun event (non competitive) of 4 km, open to all ages, and is followed by a light breakfast, and a barrel draw of prizes donated by supportive local business.
As well as raising awareness and focusing on the peer support and information offered by our groups to people and their families in our community touched by cancer each year, we also promote the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle during treatment and in recovery.
Being able to be proactive in regaining your health and wellbeing is very empowering, as it something you can do for yourself, and is not dependent on medical treatment.
The evidence is strong that participating in exercise programs plays a big part in reducing recurrence of disease shown especially in bowel and breast cancer studies)
Both Bosom Buddies and the alice Springs Prostate support groups are composed of survivors of breast and prostate cancer, and operate in a voluntary manner without any government funding support. Each group meets monthly and aims especially to support those who are newly diagnosed, providing encouragement, hope and information to the people and their families.
Bosom Buddies was established in 2001 after a couple of us were diagnosed through BreastScreen here in Alice. The Men’s Group got going in 2008. The Stride for Health began in 2007. Initially held in October (breast cancer awareness month), now that the Prostate Group is involved we do it on the cusp of the 2 awareness months.