An essential part of the Beat SCAD mission is to provide support to everybody affected by SCAD, and time and time again the charity sees how beneficial ‘in-person’ support is, but delivering this is quite the challenge for our small team when the SCAD community are located throughout the length and breadth of the country, meaning attending the Beat SCAD walks and conferences is just not possible for some. Beat SCAD strongly encourages local groups to come together and bring the Beat SCAD mission to life in their region.
The Scottish Patient Group, established in May of this year, are a shining example of the strength, determination and power that a local group develops. Led by SCAD patient Margaret Davis, ‘Team Scotland’ are driving the Beat SCAD mission to raise awareness, provide support and fund research. They have already been making waves in the Scottish Parliament earlier this year, highlighting key issues and raising vital questions about the care options for SCAD patients in Scotland.
On 31 August, the Scottish SCAD patient group hosted a walk in Edinburgh for patients, families and friends to raise awareness and money for research into SCAD.
They set up a fundraising page for donations and have raised more than £3,000 for The Alice Project. Dr Alice Wood is currently researching SCAD and Beat SCAD has committed to raising £64,000 to fund a further year’s study.
Organised by Margaret Davis, Mary Galbraith, Colette Gillespie and Roisin Falconer, the walk was a great success, with 70 walkers taking part including 11 SCAD patients – the largest gathering of Scottish SCAD survivors to date (and setting a nice target to beat with their next walk!)
The group met at the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art, where Beat SCAD Scottish Patient Lead Margaret welcomed the group and updated them about the patient group activities. After a picnic in the grounds of the gallery, the group set off for their 5km walk heading towards Stockbridge, which took in some scenic parts of the city by the Water of Leith, passing through the beautiful Dean Village and taking in some magnificent Georgian architecture along the way.
Special T-shirts were printed and bought by walkers, helping to raise funds. The Scottish Patient Group even designed their own tartan, proudly displayed in a heart design on the back of the shirts with the Beat SCAD charity logo on the front. Great job Team Scotland – you all looked fabulous!
Margaret Davis said: “The main purpose is to be here for each other.”
Jennifer Heenan attended the walk and said: “A proud day for Beat SCAD and our Scottish Patient Group. Well done to everyone who took part and wished us well and was with us in spirit.”
Everybody at Beat SCAD would like to extend our gratitude to the Scottish Patient Group for everything you are doing. We look forward to hearing more about your ventures, and for other local groups to develop in a similar way. Together we will beat SCAD.
