After initially going to the doctors earlier this year with knee pain what started in January 2019, I finally received a diagnosis after many months of physio. I can’t thank the Navy and hospitals in Glasgow enough for rushing me through to get more scans and tests so quickly, literally within a matter of weeks since my first MRI only on 2nd December this year which  showed significant change to my bone. What started as pain in my knee turns out to be bone cancer all the way up my femur. Primary bone cancer is an extremely rare cancer, affecting only around 550 people in the UK every year, this is roughly 1 in 121,000. The most common type of bone cancer being osteosarcoma which affects mainly people under the age of 25, this is unfortunately what I’ve been diagnosed. Although every cancer is devastating to have, with how rare this one is it’s very important more research is done. 

The purpose of this page is that I plan to do a sponsored walk around Ennerdale Water on the 3rd Jan 2020 before my chemotherapy starts on the 13th Jan 2020. This is only a 7.3 mile walk which sounds like nothing but having this condition in my leg makes it very painful to walk both during and afterwards, but I’m not letting this stop my love of walking. During my chemotherapy I will need a full femur replacement, meaning I’ll never be able to run again. Now obviously I have no idea what this means for my career in the Royal Navy that’s a hurdle I will have to face when it comes to it.  My office especially have been amazing with everything so far and I can’t thank them enough, walking is my happy place and I am not letting cancer stop this! As soon as I’m able to walk again I plan to continue as many sponsored walks around the lakes to get as much awareness as I can for this disease! 

Please donate even a few pound to The Bone Cancer Research Trust, they are the leading charity dedicated to fighting primary bone cancer. Their mission is to save lives and improve outcomes for people affected by primary bone cancer through research, information, awareness and support. 

I’m going to have a lovely walk around Ennerdale come rain or shine while I am able and not stuck in hospital and earning a few pennies for the charity would be amazing. Please spread the word and help us kick cancers arse!