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Back in June 2015, a great man I knew died of cancer. 

In July 2015, when I was younger and fit, I signed up for UWCB, but due to personal and work-related reasons I wasn't able to see it through. Since then, I've told myself every year that I would do it this year, but honestly there was always some reason I found or some excuse I made not to do it. It was always "I've got a lot going on right now" or "I'll work on getting my fitness up first and then I'll do it" or "I want to but I don't really have the time or mindset for it at the moment". There was always something. What it really came down to in the end was I didn't want to put the effort in. I didn't know what was going to happen and I was too scared to really try at something that I was pretty sure I was going to fail at. 

Not this year. This year, older and very unfit, I've signed up again. This year, win or lose, I'm going to finish what I started back in 2015. On the 25th of July 2021, I am getting in a square ring and I'm going to put everything I have into punching a complete stranger, hoping I hit them more times than they hit me.

I am dedicating myself completely to this. I'm changing my diet, I'm changing my routines, I'm quitting smoking and drinking and I'm putting 100% effort into this. I'm fortunate to have the amazing support of friends and family to help me see it through to the end, and who I know will be proud of me for trying, even when I lose. 

My dad, G, is one of those family members. In his 20's he had cancer. Thanks to chemotherapy (that turned him prematurely and permanently grey haired) and the treatments which had already been researched and developed, he has survived long enough for his humour to mature into the terrible dad jokes he still loves to tell me today. He is over 10 years Cancer free. Not everyone is so lucky.

Derek Crawford, my foster-dad, was a man who could fix anything. He always had a solution, no matter what the problem. He had a unique look on life. He knew me most as a teenager, who was often confused and emotionally lost, he was influential in guiding me onto the path that led to where I am today. I know for a fact I'm not the only one. Along with his wife, Linda, they changed the lives of so many and taught countless unspoken lessons. He is very missed. I'm sure he would be highly entertained by the idea of me in a ring but would be giving me tips and backing me all the way. 

Earlier this year, Cancer took my mum's friend, Christopher Walters, away from his family. He left behind his Wife, 3 children under the age of 20, and his first grandchild, who was 4 days old when he past. Everyday for them is a milestone without him. 

Literally just in June, Cancer took Terry Wing. A true Brighton legend, who worked to help others his whole life, which I’m happy to say was long and full. I’m grateful for all the stories he told me and sad for all the ones I’ll now never have the chance to hear!! He was a personal friend of mine but I know I am just one of 100’s missing him. 

Unfortunately, this story keeps getting longer and longer, as I add the names of just some of those I personally know affected by and killed by this cruel disease. It will hit 1 in 2 of us. Everybody knows somebody, if you don’t yet, you will. The more research done, the higher everyone’s chance of surviving. I’d like to live in the world where G’s story is more familiar than Derek, Chris and Terry’s.