Hi All my name is Craig, in 2019 I was diagnosed with Stage IV Bowel Cancer and being 41 at that time was told it was young to have this disease. 

I was operated on 1 week after my meeting with the Surgeon and woke from my operation with Colostomy bag that I was told I was told would only be a 5% change of needing before the operation, and whilst disappointed with this consoled myself that it could be reversed at some point.

So, every two weeks I go for my dose and ride out he next 5 days of side effects.  People generally see the best of me, a big smile and enthusiasm for everything, sadly this is not always the case as the chemo side effects brings fatigue, rashes, sickness, and worst of all self-doubt, and whilst I have been through over 50 rounds of chemo now, and even know it is coming I still struggle with it at times.

3 years on, and despite 3 bloods clots caused by the chemo trying to finish me, I have outlived the initial prognosis of 2-3 years, and am exceedingly grateful for that, and despite Covid-19s best efforts to stop us 2 times I married my Fiancée Louise on Sept 19^th 2022, and am exceptionally grateful for the support of my NHS Oncology team at the Christie Wigan for getting me there.

Sadly, the investigations into this revealed the tumour was growing back, but it was small, and my chemotherapy schedule was to continue as there are not that many treatments for Bowel Cancer my Oncology team advised me, they need to get the most out of each ‘Tool in the box’ before trying something else. 

I have since comes to terms with my situation, returned to work and focused on living, even though I struggle with knowing I am not as physically capable as I was before in life.

This fund raising is critical to support research into new treatments and give people a better chance of survival. 

My Love and thank to each of you who can support Katie & Lee. 

We’re the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity.We fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.We’re here to stop people dying of bowel cancer.