Methley cancer survivor, 23, urges people to take part in 10,000 steps a day fundraising challenge for Cancer Research UK

Ellie Coopland, 23, is inviting people to sign up now and get sponsored to walk 10,000 steps every day in March as part of the charity's new Walk All Over Cancer campaign.

And to prove it can be a walk in the park, she’s teamed up with her trusty 2-year-old Wirehaired Viszla Fellman to encourage people to commit to take part and start raising money for research into cancer.

Ellie, who lost all four of her grandparents to cancer, was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma in 2018 and knows first-hand just how important new breakthroughs and discoveries are to help more people like her survive.

Ellie, from Methley, said: “I got Fellman as an 8-week-old puppy in May 2019, and teaching and walking with him has been a big part of my recovery from cancer.

"He got his name because before just before I was diagnosed, I’d started climbing fells - that all had to stop when I became ill.

"But since finishing my treatment, he’s really helped me feel better, both physically and mentally, walking miles together in and around Yorkshire.

"And it has been especially important to me to be back outside with him after shielding during Covid.”

It was back in October 2017 when Ellie, then only 20 years old, first noticed unusual pressure on her throat and a pea sized bump in the space between her collarbones. The bump started to get bigger over the following months, but despite visits to her GP, they were unable to work out exactly what it was.

Then swallowing and breathing became harder and another lump appeared on the side of her neck.

Ellie said: “I was now feeling much worse. In April 2018 I was referred to Pinderfields Hospital and had lots of tests, including a biopsy of the mass in the front of my throat.

"A few days later I went back for the results, taking my mum, Alison, with me. That’s when they told me I had cancer.

“We just looked at each other in astonishment as cancer hadn’t been mentioned before. But at the same time, I was relieved to be finally told what it actually was.”

Ellie was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. It is rare, with only around 2,100 people diagnosed in the UK each year.

As the mass had grown so big she could barely breathe, she was admitted to the Leeds Cancer Centre to start chemotherapy straight away.

She said: “I was sick for the first few days of each cycle and was so tired I couldn’t get out of bed. My hair started to fall out and eventually I had it all shaved off.”

Ellie's chemotherapy continued for seven months and, following the end of her treatment in November 2018, she was given the news that she was clear of cancer.

But she was warned her recovery could actually be harder than the treatment, and she suffered with fatigue and the physiological impact.

Ellie said: “I was so tired and felt ill every day, and terrified that the cancer would come back. I went back to work as a veterinary receptionist in January 2019.

"The fatigue was relentless, but even after trying different roles at work, by Christmas I came to the realisation I couldn’t cope, and left.”

At the start of the pandemic, Ellie was forced to take some time off work, but has since returned to work at a GP surgery close to her home.

She said: “For four months I was shielding and didn’t leave the house; I just did yoga at home to keep active.

"But I decided my mental health was important, so I went back out for walks at sunset, when less people were about.

"Now Fellman and I are trying to build up the miles again, so the Walk All Over Cancer Challenge is a great motivation.”

As part of the Walk All Over Cancer fundraiser, people across West Yorkshire are being encouraged to walk 10,000 steps, or roughly five miles, every day in March.

There are plenty of positive health benefits too. As well as helping towards a healthy body weight, regular walking is a great stress-reliever and can assist with mental wellbeing by improving mood and sleep.

By raising vital funds, people across the region could help to get vital research back on track after the impact of COVID-19.

Ellie said: “It was devastating when I was told I had cancer. All four of my grandparents died from cancer yet nothing can prepare you for those words.

"But thanks to research, I’m still here today and can go on spending time with Fellman, my family and friends.

"That’s why I’m encouraging everyone in Leeds to step up to the Walk All Over Cancer challenge this March.”

Cancer Research UK currently funds almost half of all publicly funded cancer research in the UK and is the only UK charity fighting more than 200 types of cancer.

Before the pandemic, it was able to spend over £5 million in Yorkshire last year on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research.

To sign up and receive a free fundraising pack, with tips and ideas to help with the challenge, visit cruk.org/walkallover.

Participants are being encouraged to use #WalkAllOverCancer and tag @CR_UK when sharing their challenge on social media.

Nicki Embleton, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for Yorkshire, said: “We’re really grateful for Ellie and Fellman’s support, and we hope lots of people will be inspired to follow in their footsteps.

“We all want 2021 to have a more positive outlook. So why not give your activity a boost by having an achievable goal to aim for - all in aid of a good cause.

"Signing up to Walk All Over Cancer is a safe and simple way to show support during these challenging times. Plus, knowing you’ll be helping to save lives is the ultimate motivation.”