Sam Tate was the type of mate that anyone would have been proud to call one of their own. Incredibly kind-hearted, generous, loyal and hilarious, Sam made time for anyone and everyone. He lived in Skipton with his fiancé Sarah and their dog Winnie. An accountant by trade, he was anything but your stereotypical numbers man. Always the life and soul of the party, his enjoyment for a Sunday lunchtime pint with Sarah was only rivalled by his pride at being a Yorkshireman.

Tragically, Sam lost his battle with Hodgkin Lymphoma in November 2012 – he was 30-years-old. Originally diagnosed with this type of cancer in 2011, his scheduled wedding with Sarah was postponed so he could focus all of his energy beating the illness. Having completed the first round of Chemotherapy and with the wedding re-booked, it was with great sadness that Sam was to discover that the treatment hadn’t worked. Despite further treatment and a bone marrow transplant, unfortunately the Hodgkin Lymphoma won.

In recognition of how hugely popular and highly regarded Sam was, 12 of his closest friends – plus Sarah – will undertake a 150-mile coast to coast cycle at the end of May. Beginning in Blackpool on Thursday 30 May and stopping off overnight in Skipton and York (where Sam attended University), the aim is to arrive in Bridlington on Saturday 1 June.

The purpose of this gruelling challenge is to raise money for the Airedale NHS Hospital Haematology Oncology Day Unit, who did so much to help Sam fight Hodgkin Lymphoma. The coast to coast ride is the fulfilment of a target that Sam had pledged to do himself if he got better, because of how much he valued the efforts of the doctors, nurses and other staff treating him. His friends are hopeful they can raise a great deal of sponsorship money that will help the Unit to save other people’s lives.

Within the group of friends is an assortment of cycling ability, but no one has ever undertaken an endurance test of this nature before. Aside from the preparation of weekly training, what will keep everyone going is the rich treasure of memories that being a friend to Sam provided.

It’s the least they can do, for a special person who would have done anything for them.

 

About Hodgkin Lymphoma*

Lymphoma is the most common blood cancer. The two main forms of lymphoma are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Lymphoma occurs when lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, grow abnormally. The body has two main types of lymphocytes that can develop into lymphomas: B-lymphocytes (B-cells) and T-lymphocytes (T-cells). Cancerous lymphocytes can travel to many parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, blood or other organs, and can accumulate to form tumours.

Hodgkin lymphoma, also known as Hodgkin disease, is not as common as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Although the cancer can occur in both children and adults, it is most commonly diagnosed in young adults between the ages of 15 and 35 and in older adults over age 50.

 

*Source: Lymphoma Research Foundation