Lanarkshire MSP Christina McKelvie has spoken of her own experiences of breast cancer and has backed this year's MoonWalk Scotland, calling on others to support the event in any way they can.
The SNP politician has hailed charity Walk the Walk who funded the Maggie’s Centre at Gartnavel General Hospital in Glasgow, after the fantastic support they provided following her diagnosis.
She found the charity, who run the event, an invaluable lifeline after undergoing a course of treatment.
The MoonWalk Scotland will be held on June 11, starting and finishing at Holyrood Park, Edinburgh and also virtually on the same day.
The event raises much needed funds which have provided vital lifeline services for breast cancer.
Maggie’s helps people take back control when cancer turns their life upside down, with free professional support for anything from treatment side effects to money worries.
Ms McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, herself attended Maggie’s Glasgow following her own course of treatment. And during the pandemic, Walk the Walk also made a grant to the charity Cancer Support Scotland for its online services.
This year's theme for the MoonWalk Scotland is ‘Your Hero’.
So whether you choose your favourite superhero, your childhood hero, or it could be that your mum is Your Hero, taking part in The MoonWalk is a wonderful way to pay tribute to those that inspire you the most whilst supporting those going through treatment and their families.
Commenting Ms McKelvie told Lanarkshire Live : "When dealing with the challenges of my own diagnosis and aftermath of treatment the team at the Maggie's Centre have been an absolutely massive support to me.
"Their free advice and support services are first class and the support The MoonWalk provides to projects like the Maggie's Centres is absolutely invaluable.
"The MoonWalk is a great opportunity to show your support and raise money for an important cause at the same time.
"And don't worry, if you are not able to take part in the walk in Edinburgh you can join the Virtual MoonWalk too!"
Nina Barough, Founder and chief executive of Walk the Walk added: “I am so grateful for Christina’s support and absolutely thrilled that The MoonWalk Scotland is back and for the first time in two years bringing people together again.
“This iconic, joyful event creates such an amazing feeling across Edinburgh, filling the streets of the city with colour and fun.
"Covid has had a devastating impact on those living with cancer and whilst our ability to raise funds has been very limited, we have continued to make smaller grants to charities that really needed help.
“It is so important that people do come together to take part, not only is every step a healthy one for the participant, it will be making a difference to those who need help now”
You can find out more about The MoonWalk here.
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