On 20th February, my brother Steven lost his life to Oesophagus Cancer, a particularly cruel form of cancer. He had been diagnosed in April 2019 and throughout the past 5 years, he never complained and was totally selfless, caring only about others. Steven was a very gentle and hard working man. He was 61 and had just retired - he didn’t get to enjoy one day of his retirement. Steven has left behind his partner Sue and his 4 children, Jamie, Chloe, Jack and Grace who are all absolutely heartbroken.

THE CHALLENGE

During the first week in July, I am planning a series of 5 mountain bike rides, covering a total of 200 miles. These rides will be based around the FOD and reach as far as Monmouth, Chepstow and the Wye Valley. Taking on this epic challenge with me, is my good friend Maxine Brooks, we will be joined on some rides by a group of family and friends. On the final day, Sunday 6th July, we plan to ride the family cycle trail, ending at Beechenhurst, where there will be a bbq in Memory of Steven.

MORE INFORMATION

Oesophagus cancer has been underfunded for decades and many more people are being diagnosed. Most cancers have seen huge improvements in survival rates but sadly, less than 15% with oesophageal cancer survive more than 5 years

Oesophageal cancer in the early stages has vague symptoms and under NHS guidelines, people are unable to have a camera examination of the oesophagus (endoscopy). Therefore it often remains undetected until it is very advanced and very difficult to treat.

Guts Uk are a UK Charity which needs to raise money for the following vital research -

Scientists are researching a simple breath test which would detect oesophageal cancer at a very early Stage. It would be non invasive, cost effective and much more widely available.

The University of Cambridge now believe that it might not be the mutations in DNA causing cancer but the actual interactions between the mutations themselves.

Funding of this research will mean new ways to prevent, treat and cure oesophageal cancer and mean less people lose their lives to this extremely cruel form of cancer.

Please see the the Guts Uk Charity website for more information