This year I'm undertaking the challenge of completing 1000 miles cycling and walking and raising funds for the UK's first Centre for Cancer Immunology, based at the University of Southampton, along the way.

In the autumn of 2000, I developed a cough, just a normal, rather annoying and somewhat draining cough.  When it didn't go away, I visited the doctor and after a few tests and x-rays, I discovered that I had non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.  To be honest, I had never heard of lymphoma and couldn't quite believe that at 27 I was faced with a cancer diagnosis and only a 60% chance of recovery. The treatment was brutal, six months of aggressive chemotherapy, followed by some time to recover from the side effects before embarking on a month of daily radiotherapy. It took quite some time to recover from the treatment and I learned a lot from the experience.  It left me clear that anything that can be done to improve peoples' chances of recovery and to reduce the impact of the side effects of treatment, is worth it.

I've not yet taken the chance to do anything to say thank you to the amazing team who supported me through my treatment.  Based at the University Hospital in Southampton, they not only do amazing clinical work, but also are leaders in research into new and innovative cancer treatments.This year they have taken this one step further by opening the Centre for Cancer Immunology, the first in the UK and I am keen to support them in this.

I would be greatly appreciative of any support both by raising money for the Centre and the wonderful work they do and keeping me company along the way.

Cancer immunology is literally saving lives and the University of Southampton is leading the way. This ground-breaking research
 uses the body's own immune system to seek out and destroy cancer and is  so powerful it can last a lifetime. Thanks to generous donations, the University has just opened the UK’s first dedicated Centre for Cancer
Immunology. This marks the beginning of an exciting  new chapter for this life-saving research and, by supporting me, you can be part of it. The University has set up the Cancer Immunology Talent Fund and donations will now support the people in the Centre – helping them accelerate their progress so more people,  like me, can beat this terrible disease.

To find out more about the Centre for Cancer Immunology and the amazing work they do:

Watch this moving video to learn more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZbSUhkosSc

Read more about the Centre here
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/youreit

And more about the Cancer Immunology Talent Fund here
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/youreit/curing-cancer-within/

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