Andrew's page

RideLondon 2022 · 29 May 2022 ·
The event
Like, many other people I struggled during the many lockdowns. For me, exercise was an opportunity to stay sane, as well as keeping fit. Having applied for a ballot place for the London Marathon, I was ultimately unsuccessful in getting in. So a quick pivot later, I decided cycling 100 miles from London via Essex seemed like a good idea.
So why do I want to fundraise for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity?
Over the last 3.5 years, the Royal Marsden Hospital has had a critical role in my life. In 2018, my wife Lizzie, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Bowel Cancer, aged 32. At this time, she was incredibly sick in hospital and we didn't know if she would make it to the end of the year. Thankfully, she was able to start chemotherapy at the Royal Marsden where she has been receiving treatment ever since.
During this time, we have had many highs, and many lows. Lizzie has now completed almost 50 cycles of chemotherapy and had 4 major surgeries. We have had clear scans and two recurrences. But, along with the tears and heartbreak, we have had countless precious moments together. We are acutely aware that none of this would have been possible if it was not for the amazing work of the Royal Marsden Hospital and its fantastic staff.
Living locally to the Royal Marsden in Sutton, I am grateful that my wife has been treated at a world-leading cancer hospital that has always provided us with expert and compassionate care. I truly believe that, if it was not for the groundbreaking research completed by the Royal Marsden, I would not have Lizzie by my side still.
It is for the reasons above that I aim to fundraise for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity so that this life saving research is able to continue and all patients can be offered the most up-to-date treatments available.
The Charity
The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity raises money solely to support The Royal Marsden, a world-leading cancer centre. We ensure our nurses, doctors and research teams can provide the very best care and develop life-saving treatments, which are used across the UK and around the world. From funding state-of-the-art equipment and groundbreaking research, to creating the very best patient environments, we will never stop looking for ways to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.
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