A mobile information unit will travel around Salford this March raising awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer and helping save lives.
The unit will travel to the streets of Greater Manchester ahead of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month this March – visiting MediaCity, Eccles, and Walkden.
The van will be used in memory of the late BBC weather presenter Dianne Oxberry – and will feature her face on the side of the van.
The aim is to spread awareness, will serve as a part of the Dianne Oxberry Trust and will aim to work with “This Van Can” projects ran by the NHS Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance.
The trust aims to securing a positive outcome to an ovarian cancer diagnosis and catch the symptoms before it’s too late.
Ahead of the visit, Jo Rosenberg, chair of the Dianne Oxberry Trust said: “We’re really excited to bring the new This Van Can Ovarian Cancer Awareness Roadshow to Greater Manchester in Dianne’s memory.
“We hope this will help to save lives, as we know when found at its earliest stages nine out of 10 cases of ovarian cancer can be successfully treated.”
She continued: “By founding the Dianne Oxberry Trust charity in her name, our aim is to spread the word and raise awareness of the signs and symptoms to look out for when it comes to ovarian cancer, and by getting out into the communities across Greater Manchester in this van we’re hoping we can do just that.
“We think Dianne would be extremely proud that we are using her legacy to help in this mission to save more lives so that other families are not devastated like hers was by ovarian cancer.”
Exclusive first look at the amazing van that could save lives.
We’ve teamed up with @TargetOvarian & @GM_Cancer for a special roadshow to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer.
It starts on 24 February. Please come along!
Read more:
⬇️https://t.co/vtis9VcAAs pic.twitter.com/3SKMxEjRzE— Dianne Oxberry Trust (@TrustDianne) February 18, 2025
And this was emphasised by Sharon Tate, Head of Primary Care Development at Target Ovarian Cancer, as she said: “Just one in five women know that persistent bloating can be a symptom of ovarian cancer.
“Which is why we are delighted that This Van Can is taking information about ovarian cancer and what to watch out for into the heart of communities across Greater Manchester.”
The van will stop in the three Salford locations from 10am and 6pm, visiting Media City UK Plazza on Wednesday 26 February, Eccles Morrisons on Friday 28 February, and Walkden Town Centre on Saturday 1 March.
The various locations will aim to inform women, people with ovaries and their friends and family about the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer and urge them to seek help from their GP if they are worried.
The most common symptoms that people should look out for include feeling bloated, tummy pain, feeling full, weeing more often.
Visitors to the van can pick up information leaflets from the Dianne Oxberry Trust and a symptoms diary from Target Ovarian Cancer which lets people document any symptoms they may be worried about over a four-week period before booking an appointment with their GP.
Alongside the image of Diane on the van, it will feature NHS consultant gynaecologist Dr Nadia Ali-Ross from Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance who shared the importance of raising awareness.
She said: “It’s important that people are aware of the symptoms of ovarian cancer. We hope this van will help leave a lasting impact and help people to do this.
“If you have recurrent symptoms that you are worried about you should always visit your GP. Most of the time it won’t be cancer, but it is always better to talk to your GP.”
And this was continued by Hilary Morrison, 64, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in her 50s and is now 64, who also features on the van alongside Dr Charlotte Badescu, 34 another cancer survivor who was successfully treated.
Hilary said: “I have been treated for ovarian cancer but now I’m back at the gym and leading an active life so I’m proof that there is life after ovarian cancer!
“I wanted others to know what to look for and to have confidence to get any symptoms checked over by their GP if they are concerned.”
Hilary continued: “My family might be slightly shocked to see a larger-than-life version of me on the streets of Manchester, but it’s all for a good cause and will hopefully make a big difference!
“Please do visit the van if you get chance or look on the website for more information.”
The ovarian roadshow beings at 10am on Monday 24 February outside Sale Town Hall.
It then runs from approximately 10am until 6pm Monday to Saturday April 5, 2025. It will visit all 10 boroughs in Greater Manchester.
Anyone can turn up to visits and get information with no appointments needed. For more information visit here.
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