My name is Kevin Rodger. I'm 44, married to a wonderful wife and have 3 beautiful children aged 15, 12 & 9. 

I am sharing my story with you to raise awareness about the deadly cancer called Cholangiocarcinoma and raise much needed funds for The UK's only Cholangiocarcinoma charity called The AMMF.

In March 2022, our world was ripped apart when I was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma, a very rare form of bile duct cancer in the liver.

This cancer is increasing across all age groups, including younger people, and the cause of this increase is unknown.

It is known as one of the 'silent killer cancers', and has one of the worst survival rates of all cancers as it is difficult to diagnose accurately and early, so by the time of diagnosis it is often too advanced for surgery - which is currently the only potential cure. 

I had been feeling a little bit more tired than normal for a few months and getting the occasional pain in my upper right shoulder. That's all! 

I put it down to lifestyle, age and diet and promised myself to go on a fitness drive. I even purchased a treadmill.

I then started to itch uncontrollably and my skin and the whites of my eyes very slowly started to turn yellow. 

Luckily my GP, whether through experience or a gut feeling, pushed for urgent scans at the hospital and at the end of March we received the devastating news.  

The location of my cancer means it's currently inoperable but I'm feeling good and strong. After three months of having to drink my own bile, the tumour has been temporarily bypassed with stents, something I'd been told was too difficult to achieve by my regional hospital. 

After lots of research and rafts of emails and phone calls to specialists in the UK and abroad, I'm now under the brilliant care of Professor Bridgewater and his team at University College London Hospital. 

In July, I started chemotherapy with the aim of controlling the cancer and shrinking it. We have everything crossed that one way or another surgery will become an option for me.

A stubborn optimist, I'm determined to defy all the odds and do something that helps others in my situation to get the best care and support possible.

So during August, September and October, I'm going to walk the 60 mile Suffolk Coastal Path in bitesize chunks and whilst undergoing treatment. This will keep me fit, give me focus and I hope to raise funds for a very special charity that has been a beacon of hope and positivity to us and many like us.

AMMF is the UK's only Cholangiocarcinoma Charity dedicated to tackling this devastating cancer on all fronts: providing information and support, campaigning to raise awareness and supporting much needed research.

Thank you for your support.