In 2007 I was diagnosed with Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL), a rare form of blood cancer which affects the skin but in most cases is not life threatening.  Since then I have received superb care led by Professor Sean Whittaker (Dermatologist) and Dr Stephen Morris (Oncologist), mainly at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals as well as fantastic support from family and friends.  

Last November, during a routine check-up, Dr Morris thought that the CTCL had moved to my lymph nodes and this was confirmed by a PET scan.   To give the best possible outcome a treatment plan was agreed by my two specialists who felt I was fit enough for this to be completed with a stem-cell transplant if a suitable donor could be found.  

Determined to stay as fit as possible and have an interim goal, I set up this challenge where I and close friends who have all had medical issues would ride our bikes from London to Brighton, a distance of 54.2 miles with 2,760 feet of climbing.   In early January, I received a wonderful call from Dr Renuka Palanicawandar (leader of the transplant team at Hammersmith Hospital) that several suitable donors had been found (all in USA) and so the challenge took on greater significance.   I am happy to report that a recent PET scan  has indicated that the chemo appears to be working and the current plan is for the transplant to take place at the end of May.

Due to Covid restrictions, doing the proposed ride has added significantly to the logistics so we have agreed to do a ride of the same length with the same amount of climbing on a circular route from Mill Hill on Saturday 17 April.  This will happen two weeks after I will have finished 10 sessions of chemotherapy and before I enter more treatment. 

I will be joined on the ride by my good friend, cycling buddy and neighbour, Gary (pictured with me above), who spent three months in Barnet Hospital, including more than seven weeks in ICU having contracted Covid-19 last March.  Amazingly we will also be joined by Professor Whittaker, Dr Morris, Dr Palanicawandar and Annie, one of the nurses at Guy’s, who seem to take intense pleasure in sticking needles into me every two weeks during my chemo sessions.

In addition to this being a personal challenge, I am raising funds for The Guy's & St Thomas' Endowed Charity  (Charity No. 1160316-1) to be split equally between The Skin Tumour Unit Fund (Code ST 461) and projects to support radiotherapy for skin lymphoma (Code ST 067).

I have set an ambitious target for funding these two key research areas but one that with your support I am sure we can achieve or hopefully exceed.

Thank you so much

Jeff