Nurses join football club’s foundation day to champion cancer awareness

Cancer clinical nurse Specialists from Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust led West Bromwich Albion players onto the pitch at The Hawthorns for their match against Hull City.

The occasion was to mark Foundation Day with WBA, helping drive home an important message about cancer awareness while celebrating the power of community and sport.

Working alongside The Albion Foundation, the trust’s clinical nurse specialist (CNS) team was a significant presence in the fan zone before and after the big game at the stadium, meeting supporters, sharing advice about cancer signs and symptoms, and encouraging early diagnosis.

The event aimed to spotlight the foundation’s cancer kickers programme, a walking football initiative that supports people living with or recovering from cancer by helping them stay active, rebuild confidence, and connect with others who understand their experience.

Steve Watson, who is a regular team player, said: “We meet every Wednesday at the training ground, and we have an hour of walking football followed by an hour in the café with a coffee, cake, and a chat.

“The physical and mental side of it really helps and it gives us encouragement meeting and talking with others who have had a cancer diagnosis.”