Cancer scientist inspired by gran to take on Walk All Over Cancer 10,000 step challenge

Florence, known to her family as Flo, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 but successfully tackled the illness.

The experience of having a loved one face the disease spurred Amy on to become a cancer scientist and help other people.

Amy was able to share a hug on her wedding day with Flo in 2019, when she tied the knot with her long-time partner Jen.

She said: “My gran’s a fighter, and her determination to beat breast cancer is a big inspiration in my life.

"It’s fuelled my desire to solve scientific problems that will help others live healthier lives, free from cancer.

“I’ve been really fortunate that my gran has had more time to play such a big part in my life.

"She could come to our wedding, be one of our witnesses and show off her skills on the dancefloor.

"It was a proud moment to have her support us on our special day."

Amy is studying prostate cancer that has returned despite surgery.

Amy Tibbo

Her work looks at the genetic changes behind this aggressive form of prostate cancer to find out if new drugs can target the genes involved and offer new treatments.

Amy was young when Flo was diagnosed with breast cancer but she remembers something not being right.

She said: “I knew that something serious was happening with my gran when she went into hospital for her surgery.

"I remember seeing the scars afterwards and feeling shocked when I found out that she had cancer.

“But nothing, not even cancer, was going to stop her.

"Just a month after she had her breast removed, she was out taking part in the London MoonWalk to help women just like her whose lives had been turned upside down by breast cancer.

“We were all really proud of what she did, despite everything she was going through at the time.

"She has a love for life and doesn’t hold back for fear of others, and that positivity keeps us all going.”

Amy Tibbo and gran Flo

Amy married her wife Jen, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, in August 2019 and Jen’s work on the frontline of the NHS helps keep Amy motivated in the lab.

Amy said: “I hear about the harrowing impact that being diagnosed with cancer has on people, especially on young women who are similar ages to me and Jen.

"I am determined to find solutions so that no-one has to go through the heartache of cancer.”

Amy is now so grateful for the special moments with Flo that she’s signed up to walk 10,000 steps a day this March.

She’s also urging others to join her and sign up to raise as much money as possible for Cancer Research UK.

In February 2020, Amy and Jen welcomed their dog Peggy into their lives.

She has been their faithful friend during the pandemic and will be joining Amy as she Walks All Over Cancer this March.

Amy said: “Researchers like me need support, which is why I am calling on people across Scotland to go the distance with me and Peggy, by signing up to Walk All Over Cancer and completing 10,000 steps per day to raise money to help beat cancer.”

She added: “Peggy came to us just before we went into lockdown, and she’s brought so much joy into our lives.

"She loves a good wander around the woods and she’ll be keeping me on my toes towards my 10,000 steps a day.

Amy Tibbo and Peggy

"Whether you’re walking your dog, walking to work or walking to your local shops, by taking part you’ll be helping to support life-saving research, whilst improving your fitness.

"Everyone wins when we all step up to Walk All Over Cancer."

By raising vital funds, people across Scotland could help to get Cancer Research UK’s life-saving research back on track after the impact of Covid-19.

There are plenty of positive health benefits too. As well as helping towards a healthy body weight, taking part could also take a little weight off the mind by relieving stress.

Graeme Sneddon, Cancer Research UK’s spokesman for Scotland, said: “We’ve all had a difficult start to 2021 and we need some positivity in our lives.

"Why not give yourself a boost by committing to get more active and 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."

Ten thousand steps is equal to about five miles, based on the average person’s strides, so by the end of March participants will have clocked up more than 150 miles.

Walk All Over Cancer is now integrated with FitBit, so that participants can automatically publish their step count on their fundraising page throughout the month.

Graeme added: “With around 32,400 people diagnosed with cancer every year in Scotland, Cancer Research UK is working every day to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease.

“The truth is Covid-19 has slowed us down, but we will never stop striving to create better treatments for tomorrow.

"Every step our scientists take towards beating cancer relies on our supporters. That’s why we need everyone to step up to Walk All Over Cancer.”

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 £42 million in Scotland 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, see cruk.org/walkallover