Prof Francesco Dazzi and Valeri, one of his patients, are taking the most challenging route of this year LLR bikeathon, the 75 mile Olympic route.

 

 

What is special? Long time ago Valeri received a bone marrow transplant which eradicated his leukaemia. Unfortunately, as a complication of his transplant he developed a disease (graft-versus-host disease) which has made his skin and muscles very stiff and poorly flexible. Despite his disability, Valeri is keen to take on the gruesome challenge of riding 75 miles to raise funds for the LLR. And Francesco? Well, he’s overweight and unfit and there is very little time to get ready before the event! LLR is supporting his research on graft-versus-host disease so he feels he must contribute somehow.