Blues' heroes support World Cancer Day

Posted 4th February 2015

Graham Sharp and Ian Snodin visit The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre on World Cancer Day

Everton heroes Graham Sharp and Ian Snodin paid a visit to The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre today (4th Feb) to visit patients on the wards and support the facility’s health initiatives.

To mark World Cancer Day, the duo were invited to the centre to take part in an educational workshop on healthy life choices for patients and their families. The workshop covered the importance of a healthy lifestyle during cancer treatment, but also the role that diet and exercise can play in cancer prevention.

The local legends supported staff at the Centre as they rustled up some tasty smoothies to keep patients feeling fit and healthy during treatment. The session also covered the best kinds of exercise to take part in during cancer care and how to tailor these exercises depending upon the type of treatment the patient is receiving.

Everton Football Club Ambassador Graham Sharp said: “We’re proud to support The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre this World Cancer Day. It’s very humbling to come here and meet people who are facing such a difficult time in their lives but still stay so positive - and, of course, to see the fantastic work that the staff carry out every single day.”

With research to suggest that one in twenty cancers is linked to being overweight or obese,* The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre is dedicated to educating Merseyside residents on the importance of diet and nutrition for cancer prevention, as well as helping patients maintain a healthy lifestyle during their cancer treatment.

Dr Nicky Thorp, consultant in clinical oncology at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre commented: “Being overweight or obese doesn’t necessarily mean someone will develop cancer but with one in twenty cancers possibly being linked to lifestyle choices, it’s important that people know how best to look after themselves. Diet and exercise is so important from cancer prevention, right the way through the cancer journey, if someone does find themselves being diagnosed.”

The healthy life choices activity formed part of a full programme of events on World Cancer Day at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, which offered information on the importance of early detection of cancer, treatment for all and also quality of life before, during and after treatment.

World Cancer Day is the one singular initiative under which the entire world can unite together in the fight against the global cancer epidemic. It takes place on the 4^th February every year and this year will take a positive and proactive approach to the fight against cancer, highlighting that solutions do exist across the continuum of cancer, and that they are within our reach.