In August 2023, I turned 50. I'd always been fortunate with my health, and bar the odd trip to the dentist, I had never troubled the NHS.

But I had developed tinnitus in my left ear during the summer, and over the next few weeks and months I continued to develop further symptoms which left me in chronic pain and almost entirely bedridden.

On May 14th 2024, I was diagnosed with Stage IV kidney cancer, which had spread to my lungs and then via the salivary glands, causing a golf ball sized tumour on my left jawbone.

The cancer was incurable, and had advanced beyond the possibility or radiotherapy or chemotherapy. My consultant was clear in his prognosis - I was critically ill and had 12 months or less to live.

Over the last few months, I've been undergoing a trial treatment at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre which combines two different drugs:-

Nivolumab, an immunotherapy drug which works by blocking a protein that stops the immune system from working properly and attacking cancer cells. It also helps to make your immune system find and kill cancer cells.

Cabozantinib, a type of targeted cancer drug which stops cancers from growing their own blood vessels which supplies it with food and oxygen to grow, and also blocks the messages that tells the cancer cells to grow.

After 3 months of treatment, I am now almost pain free, and able to live a near normal life as I continue to receive treatment. There is no doubt that the NHS has saved (or certainly extended) my life.

However, that's only half the battle.

On May 14th, I walked out of the Edinburgh Cancer Centre along with my wife Emma, shell-shocked, emotional and broken.

Three days later, we returned to see my consultant again, this time to see whether I was eligible for the trial treatment.

The diagnosis had left both myself and Emma in a state of total numbness and disbelief. We were both struggling to get our heads around the devastating reality of my illness and the overload of information about treatment I would receive - luckily multiple blood tests had confirmed I was suitable to go on the trial.

My consultant had recommended visiting Maggie's before leaving the hospital. We stood outside, unsure whether to go in or just go home. Looking back, we are so glad that we braved ourselves to walk through their doors.

A few minutes later we were sitting with a cup of tea, talking to Ali, one of their Cancer Support Specialists, and over the last few months their help and assistance has been invaluable in helping us both keep sane.

When you’re diagnosed with cancer you need so much more than just medical treatment.

You might need information about how treatment will affect you; emotional support and practical advice; a place to go where you can meet and talk to people who are going through the same things.

Maggie's are here for anyone with cancer and their family and friends, whatever kind of cancer, and whatever stage they’re at.

All their support is free, and no appointment or referral is needed.

There’s also no time limit on their support, Maggie's are here for as long as needed.

Maggie’s isn’t part of the NHS – they are an independent charity – but their centres are beside major cancer hospitals across the UK, including Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Fife, Forth Valley, Glasgow, Airdrie and Inverness.

Many of their staff are NHS-trained and all their Cancer Support Specialists have expert knowledge about cancer and treatment.

Their centres also have psychologists and benefits advisors who are available for anyone with cancer and those close to them. They also work with experts who provide yoga, nutrition advice and much more.

Before I started my treatment, I went to a 'prehabilitation' workshop at Maggie's, which aims to get you ready for your treatment with advice on how to cope with side effects, stay motivated on tough days and develop good nutrition and exercise routines.

Meeting regularly for an hour at Maggie's Centre in Edinburgh with Rob, one of Maggie's Counselling Psychologists, has enabled me to build my confidence and overcome many of the anxieties that beset me following my diagnosis.

I've managed to restart one of my biggest passions - playing table tennis - and am starting to consider my life beyond the next scan.

Without Rob's help, I'm not sure I would have been able to step out of the shadow of cancer and begin rebuilding my life.

There's no price that I can put on the care, comfort and love that myself and Emma have both received from Maggie's but I want to do as much as I possibly can to fundraise for Maggie's in order to give something back.

I want other people to be able to get the same support I had.

I hope you will offer your support and donate to this wonderful organisation.