A Barrow woman’s story of overcoming adversity is helping football fans smile this January. Carol, a regular at Barrow AFC Community Foundation’s Cancer Prehabilitation and Rehabilitation programme, has said the sessions have left her feeling “much more positive”.

Carol’s journey is being shared as part of Scan to Smile, a new EFL initiative designed to lift spirits during the January blues and shine a spotlight on the life-changing work delivered by football club charities.

The Cancer Prehab and Rehab sessions are now in their second year of running and uses the power of football clubs and their club charities to support people affected by cancer through exercise, social connection, and peer support.

Carol credits the sessions for helping her to meet new people: “I started to meet people that were on the same journey as I was, and that gives you the ability, out of a clinical setting, to share how hard life can be sometimes, but also to laugh at each other's mistakes and mishaps and things like that.”

Carol says the programme made an impact on her from day one: “The first time I came, was pretty daunting because you're walking into the unknown and I didn't have a lot of energy. But from day one, the staff here were absolutely amazing and very quickly I was gaining energy. I could do more, I could do more at home. My mind was much more positive socially.”

Carol urges anybody in a similar situation to come along and get involved with the initiative: “I would recommend this to anybody who's struggling with that journey a little bit, whether it's physically, emotionally, socially - I can't recommend this enough. The sessions are amazing and they've become a rock for me, and I think most people struggling with their cancer journey would say the same thing.”

Posters displayed around EFL stadiums from 23 – 31 January will invite supporters to scan QR codes, alongside codes on-screen during all live EFL games broadcast on Sky Sports Fans can scan these to unlock uplifting stories like Marc’s, showing how football changes lives far beyond the pitch.

Trevor Birch, Chief Executive at the EFL said: “Scan to Smile is about harnessing the power of football to lift spirits and share real stories of hope. Behind every Club are people whose lives have been positively changed through the work and dedication of their local EFL Club charity. This initiative gives supporters the chance to see that impact firsthand and reminds us that football truly is a force for good.”

Find out more about Cancer Prehab sessions and the Barrow AFC Community Foundation:
https://www.barrowafc.com/news/2025/december/22/barrow-afc-community-launches-cancer-/