Blue September is traditionally about prostate cancer, but for me, this September has a very different and deeply personal meaning.
Iām taking on this challenge because I am living with terminal renal cancer ā and I want people to understand what that really means.
When I was first diagnosed, I had approximately 500mm of tumours throughout my body. It was a massive shock and something that changed my life, and the lives of my family, forever.
I was fortunate enough to respond to immunotherapy. Against the odds, the treatment reduced the tumour burden by around 50%. For a while, we had hope that this treatment might continue to keep the cancer under control.
Unfortunately, that treatment has now stopped working.
My only remaining option is an oral cancer treatment designed to slow or stop the tumours from increasing in size. It is not a cure. It is not expected to make the cancer disappear. It is simply another opportunity to try to keep the disease under control for as long as possible.
And that is the hardest part to accept.
The reality is that my cancer is terminal, and I have been told I have limited time left ā measured in months, not years.
So why am I doing this challenge?
Because I refuse to simply sit back and count down the months.
I want to keep moving. I want to challenge myself. I want to spend time with the people I love. I want to raise awareness. And most importantly, I want to show that even when cancer changes your future, it doesn't have to take away your determination to make the most of the time you have left.
This challenge is my way of fighting back.
It's about every kilometre, every bit of effort, every conversation and every person who gets behind me. It's about my family, my mates and everyone who has supported me throughout this journey.
I know my story isn't the typical Blue September story. My battle is with renal cancer, not prostate cancer. But cancer doesn't care what type it is ā it changes lives, families and futures.
So this September, I'm wearing blue, getting out there and giving it everything I've got.
I'm not doing this because I expect to beat the cancer.
I'm doing it because cancer doesn't get to decide how I spend the time I have left.
š One challenge. One day. One kilometre at a time.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me, encouraged me, ridden with me, laughed with me and simply been there.
Let's make every day count. š
Blue September is traditionally about prostate cancer, but for me, this September has a very different and deeply personal meaning.
Iām taking on this challenge because I am living with terminal renal cancer ā and I want people to understand what that really means.
When I was first diagnosed, I had approximately 500mm of tumours throughout my body. It was a massive shock and something that changed my life, and the lives of my family, forever.
I was fortunate enough to respond to immunotherapy. Against the odds, the treatment reduced the tumour burden by around 50%. For a while, we had hope that this treatment might continue to keep the cancer under control.
Unfortunately, that treatment has now stopped working.
My only remaining option is an oral cancer treatment designed to slow or stop the tumours from increasing in size. It is not a cure. It is not expected to make the cancer disappear. It is simply another opportunity to try to keep the disease under control for as long as possible.
And that is the hardest part to accept.
The reality is that my cancer is terminal, and I have been told I have limited time left ā measured in months, not years.
So why am I doing this challenge?
Because I refuse to simply sit back and count down the months.
I want to keep moving. I want to challenge myself. I want to spend time with the people I love. I want to raise awareness. And most importantly, I want to show that even when cancer changes your future, it doesn't have to take away your determination to make the most of the time you have left.
This challenge is my way of fighting back.
It's about every kilometre, every bit of effort, every conversation and every person who gets behind me. It's about my family, my mates and everyone who has supported me throughout this journey.
I know my story isn't the typical Blue September story. My battle is with renal cancer, not prostate cancer. But cancer doesn't care what type it is ā it changes lives, families and futures.
So this September, I'm wearing blue, getting out there and giving it everything I've got.
I'm not doing this because I expect to beat the cancer.
I'm doing it because cancer doesn't get to decide how I spend the time I have left.
š One challenge. One day. One kilometre at a time.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me, encouraged me, ridden with me, laughed with me and simply been there.
Let's make every day count. š
As always bloody brilliant Mark. No get on that bike!