The Commonwealth Games 2022 has proven to be one of the most successful ever held, with more
than 5,000 athletes from 72 nations competing in 19 different sports. The Games have now concluded, and the baton has been passed on to Australia. However, the legacy of being able to inspire, engage and connect communities continues… with the Birmingham Festival 2022 continuing through to the end of September. . . and the NHS campaign on the benefits of moving more:
“when there’s enough energy and will to keep hold of the things that matter most, and when those who take part in something are changed by it, for the better, … good things happen”
Let’s meet Jane – a baton bearer living with Neuroendocrine Cancer:
“I’m feeling very humble to have been a tiny grain-like part of this magnificent celebration.
To have carried the #QueensBatonRelay2022 and to be able to raise awareness for my condition – NeuroEndocrine Cancer is just awesome!”
Watching the countdown to the Commonwealth Games on tv and
seeing our beloved Sir Lenny Henry carrying the baton into the City, and seeing the Red Arrows flying across #Lichfield just added to the excitement of it all happening on our doorstep!
To raise awareness of my condition- NeuroEndocrine Cancer – I wore my zebra print socks and had some photos taken – I carried the Commonwealth baton for so many reasons…..!
“Here’s to my fellow fighters, my NET nurses and my friends on
the NET natter groups! You’ll know what I was going through, my worries, and by not eating and taking meds, just so that I could be there (and not in the bathroom!)”
I’m here, enjoying life, taking part and watching the athletes who are at the peak of their game! I marvelled at at their endeavours, clapped and cheered them on and am almost hoarse from singing our anthem. . .and at the closing ceremony, I watched the baton I carried being passed onto the 2026 hosts, Victoria in Australia.
Jane also created a fundraiser, on Facebook, raising more than £500 for NCUK – and would like to say:
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me and continues to in oh so many ways!”
During the Games, the NHS Better Health – Let’s do this Commonwealth Games campaign – has been running. It focused on how staying active can help provide better mental health – aiming to motivate and inspire people to try something new, taking advantage of the Commonwealth Games as a potential moment to improve health and wellbeing.
How exercise can help
There are very good reasons for exercising. It can improve your quality of life and help you feel better. Regular exercise can reduce stress and give you more energy.
Research has shown that there is strong evidence that certain ways of being active can help people with cancer:
• reduce anxiety
• improve depression
• reduce fatigue
• improve quality of life during and after cancer treatment
• prevent or improve lymphoedema (a type of swelling caused by
treatment to lymph nodes)
• improve general physical functioning
However for some people, with certain types of cancer or those on particular treatments, care may need to be taken and you might need to avoid some types of exercise – talk things through with your care team.
Being physically active, is not just about athlete-level exercise, it is about any movement that uses your muscles and more energy than when you’re resting. Being physically active doesn’t have to mean joining a gym or an exercise class. It can also be walking to the shops, walking up the stairs, gardening or dancing.
There are two types of physical activity:
• aerobic – this uses more oxygen and improves the way your heart (cardiovascular system) works, for example, running
• anaerobic – which increases your muscle strength and mass, for example, weight training
Physical activity can also be of a:
• moderate intensity – this is when the activity makes you feel warmer, and breathe faster, but you can still talk; for example, brisk walking, cycling, swimming, gardening or housework
• vigorous intensity – this is an activity that raises your heart rate and makes you start to sweat
and feel out of breath, for example, running, aerobics, netball, football, and fast cycling
CRUK
Cancer, and/or it’s treatments, can put a lot of extra strain on your body, but there are some activities, hints and tips, that can help in preparing yourself physically and psychologically that can make it easier to cope with treatment and to recover afterwards:
https://www.neuroendocrinecancer.org.uk/neuroendocrine-cancer/treatments/preparing-for-treatment/
So, as the smoke from the fireworks at the closing ceremony drifts away, we send congratulations to Jane – for being nominated to be a baton-bearer, for being able to participate, in what was an amazing event : 176 medals for England, 51 for Scotland, 28 for Wales and 18 for Northern Ireland – and 72 nations coming together.
Thank you to the athletes and all involved for – inspiring, engaging and connecting communities . . .
. . . and a special Thank You to Jane – our own inspirational individual – for flying our flag: raising awareness and funds for our own Neuroendocrine Cancer community.
