2020 was a difficult year for us all, but a particularly difficult one for my family, as it was a year where my Mum both fought and lost her ongoing fight with cancer.

Back in 2015, Mum was initially diagnosed with the rare, blood cancer Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinaemia, which was treated and kept at bay until a secondary cancer diagnosis in December 2019, of a condition called Histiocytic Sarcoma - a cancer so rare, it took months to diagnose and approve treatment for. 

One of the many difficult and frustrating experiences for anyone impacted by a rare form of Cancer can be the lack of initial information provided, which is where WMUK showed me just how valuable charities like this can be for helping patients through what is very much unexplored territory for the impacted individuals and their families.

On July 11th 2021, I along with some friends will be cycling 52 miles, from East London, the area where I was born and raised, to Southend-on-Sea, where I now live. East London was also the birth place and home of my Mum, before she moved out to Essex, so when I heard about this bike ride, I knew immediately that it was the perfect event to help raise awareness and to do something in her memory. 

This will be first time that I've taken part in any event like this, so please wish me luck and I very much appreciate your kind support and donations.

From the East End to Southend,

Michael.

About WMUK:

WMUK is the only charity in the UK focused solely on Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia (WM), a rare type of blood cancer. We are a partnership of WM doctors and patients in the UK working together to improve the treatment and care of people with WM. Your support helps us in our work to focus on providing: accurate diagnosis and high-quality care, personalised information and support, research that matters to patients and access to new and better treatments.

About the ride:

https://www.bike-events.co.uk/Ride.aspx?id=681