Dame Sarah Storey champions early breast cancer detection at Macclesfield Hospital

Britain’s most decorated Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, recently visited the Breast Screening Unit at Macclesfield District General Hospital to film a special promotion for the upcoming Boot Out Breast Cancer "Midsummer Night’s Dream" Ball.

The hospital’s Breast Screening Unit is a beneficiary of this year's event, with funds raised to be used to purchase state-of-the-art equipment that sits above and beyond standard NHS funding.

The visit, which coincided with World Cancer Day (Wednesday 4th February), served as a key milestone in the countdown to the event taking place on Saturday, 7th March 2026.

Dame Sarah, a patron of the Boot Out Breast Cancer charity, used the visit to highlight the critical importance of early diagnosis.

She said:

“I’ve been here at the breast screening unit to do a film to help promote the fundraising attempt that we are undertaking at the Boot Out Breast Cancer Ball next month.

“Cancer touches everybody and one in two people will be affected by cancer in their lifetime and it’s so important we do everything that we can to catch cancer early.”

Debbie Dowie founded the charity in 2010 following her own breast cancer diagnosis, and having experienced firsthand the life-saving importance of early detection, she has dedicated her work to ensuring NHS units across the North West have access to the latest breast cancer diagnostic technology.

Ahead of the event, East Cheshire NHS Charity is welcoming interest from local businesses looking to support the Trust’s healthcare professionals, with a unique opportunity for organisations to sponsor tables for East Cheshire NHS Trust staff, providing a meaningful way to recognise the dedication of frontline teams.

Local businesses interested in exploring table sponsorship or learning more about supporting the unit can contact the East Cheshire NHS Charity team on:

01625 663 511

ecn-tr.ecnhscharity@nhs.net

Pictured - Dame Sarah Storey.