PLANETS Cancer Charity helps patients with pancreatic, liver, colorectal, gastric, oesophageal and neuroendocrine cancer by funding patient support groups, innovative treatments and research. Since 2011 we have raised over than £2,200,000!

Most people will know this is a cause very close to my heart. I was diagnosed with incurable Neuroendocrine cancer in 2011, aged 34. PLANETS was an idea at this point, and alongside my surgeon Neil Pearce, Dr Brian Stedman and fellow patient Layla, we have worked hard to create something bigger than we ever expected that supports patients in our area through their cancer treatment as well as make sure that in the current, cost-cutting NHS environment, with research and innovation in danger of being sidelined, that patients across our region still have access to the best available care.

PLANETS is special, and this cycle event represents why. On June 22nd I will join 3 other patients, our surgeons, our doctors and plenty of amazing supporters at Winchester Cathedral, ready to cycle 100 miles to the West Coast. Not only have the incredible clinicians kept me and those other patients alive (for me - 3 surgeries later) they are constantly going the extra mile. We work alongside them to make sure that no patient feels alone on their journey, as well as having access to the very best treatment options. They get involved in our fundraising, support all our events and join us at the patient support groups so people going through the most traumatic experience of their life feel like they matter, that they are among friends and have a support network they can turn to. I feel very lucky to be part of this and incredibly grateful to work with them to achieve our goals and I know, we will all get to the end of this 100 mile ride, together, as a team.

Personally, 13 years in to a stage 4 cancer diagnosis, I know that I am enjoying the quality of life that I do thanks to the team at Southampton. This year I have lost fellow patients who I counted as friends already and many others are having the most difficult time of their life, which is extremely hard to see and makes us all want to work a bit harder for the cause. I am no cyclist and 100 miles is a long way, despite being a fitness fanatic, but I feel privileged to be in a position to take on this challenge and will be thinking of those friends as I tick off the miles and know this will help me get through the dark moments. I will get to the end for all of us.

It will be all the sweeter if I can raise some money in the process and make all the training (and the broken bones) worthwhile. Your support would mean a lot to me.

Help us to raise funds and continue to transform cancer care and support patients across the central south coast. Thank you.

Jo x