For the past 25 years, I have had the privilege of serving as a consultant at Velindre, known as The Hospital Of Hope. The remarkable reputation of Velindre is made possible by the unwavering support of our dedicated donors and fundraisers. With your generous support, we can offer higher quality care through complex treatment pathways, provide earlier access to cutting-edge treatments, invest in research for new therapies, purchase essential specialist equipment, and fund invaluable support services.

Additionally, your contributions ensure that our dedicated staff have access to the latest training and techniques available. This support has been critical in designing and now building a brand new Cancer Centre and enabling it to be transformational to the care and wellbeing of patients in Wales.

As we gear up for the upcoming Seville - Marbella Bike Ride on May 21, 2026, I am setting an ambitious personal target of £7,000. Every penny raised will directly impact the lives of patients receiving care at Velindre funding projects that improve patient experiences and outcomes, ensuring they receive the best possible care.

As an Upper GI Oncologist, I have tried to raise money for Upper Gastro-intestinal Cancers through the ATTAC Fund. Oesophago-gastric cancer often presents late and outcomes have not improved as fast as other cancers; indeed it remains a 'less survivable cancer'. However, there are exciting opportunities to diagnose earlier and treat more effectively, combining high quality surgery with advance targeted chemo-immuno therapy drugs and state of the art, precision radiotherapy.

This is what one family said recently: “The care Peter received, and the support we both felt, inspired us to start raising funds for Velindre. I have continued fundraising so that Professor Crosby can take part in overseas treks and bike rides for Velindre, helping him raise even more money for Velindre, and inspiring others. Every mile he completes helps ensure that other patients and families can receive the same outstanding care, treatment and support that carried us through our hardest moments.”

Jan Bevan

I would also like to support the Maxwell Family Fund. Craig is a truly inspirational person and friend. His ambition to accelerate cancer the time taken to diagnose and treat patients has not let been curtailed by his own diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. He has helped Velindre and Wales to be at the forefront of liquid-based biopsies, using blood tests to detect circulating cancer DNA, diagnose cancer and help select the right treatment for the right patient.

So please, please give what you can so we can give others what they need.

Prof Tom Crosby OBE