Colleagues step out for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, colleagues at Parkside Vets in Scotland are putting their best foot forward to support Breast Cancer Now, remember a much-loved colleague and celebrate the ongoing journey of veterinary nurse Freya Buwert.
Here, Freya, who has received the all-clear after suffering breast cancer, shares why the 13-mile walk is about much more than raising money – it's also about encouraging others to check themselves to remembering a colleague who made a lasting impact on the team….
THERE’S something special about colleagues coming together – and for the team at Parkside Vets in Dundee, their latest adventure has a very personal meaning.
On October 25th, 15 colleagues from across the practice will swap their scrubs for pink T-shirts and walking shoes as they take on a 13-mile coastal walk from the Barnhill surgery, near Dundee, to the Arbroath branch.
Vets, nurses, receptionists and support team colleagues will be walking side by side to raise money for Breast Cancer Now, while also taking the opportunity to remember their friend and former colleague, vet Catherine Macleod.
Catherine, who worked at Parkside’s Arbroath practice, sadly died from breast cancer 12 months ago. She was a much-loved member of the team and a mum of two, and the walk will give her colleagues the chance to celebrate her life and the memories they shared.
For Freya Buwert, who works at Barnhill, the event is especially close to home.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2024 and underwent three rounds of surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. She has now received the all-clear and is receiving preventative treatment.
Organising the walk has given Freya the chance to turn what has been a difficult experience into something incredibly positive – bringing her colleagues together while raising awareness and funds to help others affected by breast cancer.
“I am glad to be here after everything I have been through, and early detection helped me,” said Freya.
“I think it is really important that we talk about breast cancer and encourage people to check themselves. If our walk can help raise awareness as well as money, then that is something really positive to come out of it.
“It has been lovely to see everyone getting behind the walk and wanting to do something together. It means a lot to have the support of my colleagues, and I hope we can make it a really special day.”
She has always been conscious of the importance of checking for changes, having grown up with a family experience of cancer as her dad was diagnosed with cancer. For Freya, the walk is about much more than the fundraising.
“A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every nine minutes and, as a female-dominated profession, our practice has been impacted by breast cancer more than once in recent years,” she said.
“When I first found out I had cancer, I was very shocked. My Dad had bowel cancer, and I grew up knowing about it and being scared I would be diagnosed so I self-checked and ended up being diagnosed in my 30s. It was the family link that led them to do the further tests that found my tumour.
“The walk isn’t just about raising funds, although that is really important. It is also about raising awareness and encouraging women to check themselves.”
During her treatment, Freya suffered radiation fibrosis, a long-term side effect of radiation therapy where healthy tissue inside the treatment area becomes scarred, thick, hard, and tight.
She used VetPartners’ Westfield Health benefit to access physiotherapy services – and now has 90% of the movement back in her arm.
And there will be one person in particular on everyone’s minds as they make their way along the coast.
Freya was going through her own treatment while Catherine was facing cancer too, and she remembers how much Catherine continued to inspire those around her.
Freya said: “Catherine was going through cancer at the time too, and I saw how amazing she was. We want to remember her on our walk.”
With 13 miles ahead of them, there will no doubt be plenty of chatting, laughing and encouragement along the way – as well as a few tired legs by the time they reach Arbroath.
But for the Parkside team, it is a chance to walk together for something that matters: supporting people affected by breast cancer, looking out for one another and remembering a colleague who remains very much part of their story.
VetPartners will match 20% of the money raised through our charity fund.
If you would like to support the Parkside team and Breast Cancer Now, you can donate via their GoFundMe page.
Support available to VetPartners colleagues
For colleagues who may be worried about cancer, or who are affected by a diagnosis, there is support available through VetPartners’ benefits.
Among the improved benefits available through Westfield Health are Cancer Risk Assessment and Support, providing specialist guidance and reassurance, and a Scanning Service, with unlimited MRI and CT scans and one PET scan fully funded on your behalf.
Westfield Health can also provide support throughout diagnosis, treatment and recovery through our cash back health plan.
Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), provided through Health Assured, is also available to colleagues and offers free, confidential counselling and emotional support.
If you or someone close to you is affected by cancer, please remember that you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Article by Amanda Little, VetPartners PR and Communications Director.
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