Thanks to the generosity of the Central Coast community and the hard work from one dedicated doctor, 818 steppers were able to raise over $100,000 during September for Cancer Council.
#MoveAgainstCancer is an initiative run by full-time emergency doctor Dr Ash Bowden, also known as Doctor Do More, which encouraged people to take as many steps as possible in September, both individually and in teams, to win prizes.
In just four weeks, participants completed over 190 million steps and raised a total of $101,176, a feat Dr Ash said will be hard to beat next year.
“It is the second year we have run the #MoveAgainstCancer step challenge. I am so impressed with how many people got involved and how much money we raised. The community have been so generous considering the pandemic and the hardship it has caused so many,” Dr Ash said.
Community Relations Coordinator for Cancer Council Central Coast, Jaynie Moloney, worked closely with Dr Ash and said she is overwhelmed with the community’s kindness.
“Raising $100,000 is a massive achievement and it will have a profound impact on the cancer patients who need it the most. As well as the positive health benefits gained from those participating, the funds raised will support local cancer patients and fund critical research,” Mrs Moloney said.
For the last three years, Dr Ash has been on a mission to inspire people to move more to improve their health and happiness. His main initiative has been creating an ‘Exercise Search Engine’, https://Do-More.live, which showcases all the businesses and community groups in his region that get people moving in any way, shape, or form.
“Moving more has unbelievable benefits on your health – reduced risk of cancers, reduced risk of cardiorespiratory disease, improved cognition and more. Importantly, it has a huge impact on our mental health, something we all need right now.”
“This pandemic has caused so much stress and anxiety. With the loss of incomes and so much uncertainty. Getting outside and staying active massively helps your headspace, helping us to stay positive as we move forward.”
“Do More is about improving health and happiness through physical activity. My own experience with exercise and research into the effects of physical activity on health shows an incredible relationship between the two. The goal is as simple as increasing the amount of movement we do and I’m confident this will improve health,” said Dr Ash.
Over ten local businesses supported #MoveAgainstCancer by donating prizes to be given to the winners of the five categories.
These included Australian Dental & Implant Group, Cancer Rehabilitation and Lymphatic Solutions, Bounce Back from Breast Cancer, Corporate Merchandise Australia, Reality Marketing, Slippery coco, Activate Foods, Central Coast Spinal Care, Five Star Day Spa, MedRecruit, Distillery Botanica, Free State Café, Physio Connex, Gosford RSL, NXTGEN Nutrition, Miki Finn and more.
Dr Ash Bowen
https://do-more.live