CYCLING THROUGH BOWEL CANCER TREATMENT

April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and we are looking forward to sharing news about our significant COLO-SPEED bowel cancer research project soon.

Keith Farquharson

One of our most dedicated fundraisers, Keith Farquharson from Newcastle, is living proof of the importance of research into the disease.

Diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in 2017, Keith tried two rounds of chemotherapy to no effect and in January 2018 received the devastating news that, “50% of people in your position will die within 12 months.”

His oncologist referred him to the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre at the Freeman Hospital’s Northern Centre for Cancer Care, in Newcastle, and he began a Phase II immunotherapy trial.

Now, after seven years of treatment at the centre, he is undertaking a 5,000 mile fundraising cycling challenge, The Cannibal Run, to say thank you as he moves on to a new trial at The Christie in Manchester.

Keith at the Sir Bobby Robson Centre

Keith explains: “The efficacy of the initial immunotherapy trial at the Sir Bobby Robson Centre has gradually declined over the last seven years to the point where some of my tumours are slowly growing, so it was decided that I should try a new treatment option.

“The new Phase I drug trial in Manchester is first in human and there’s no guarantee of efficacy but we’ll see how I go.

“And, hopefully, I’ll be feeling well enough to complete my fundraising challenge and can raise some money to say thank you to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation for keeping me alive long enough to start this next clinical trial.”

Keith, aged 50, is a software developer and lives with wife, Amber, and 12-year-old son, Caspian.

He adds: “I’m a keen cyclist, so I’ve done a lot of fundraising on my bike for the Foundation already. It’s my way of saying thank you but it’s also keeping me fit.

“This time, I thought I’d create my own virtual challenge called The Cannibal Run, named after Eddy ‘The Cannibal’ Merckx who was the first man to win the Triple Crown of Giro, Tour and World Championships in the same year.

Keith receiving treatment at the Sir Bobby Robson Centre

“It’s a 5,000 mile virtual ride of the 1974 Giro d’Italia, UCI World Championships and Tour de France and there are more than 51 stages and 100,000m of climb.

“I’ve given myself a year to complete it and I’m trying to fit it in around working full time and hospital visits, so I’ve broken it down into 230 sections.

“It’s a tough ask but I’m absolutely committed to it.

“A lot depends on how well I feel during my new treatment of course, and I’ve also signed up for the Manchester 10k and the Great North Run.

“I’ll be wearing my Sir Bobby Robson Foundation vest with pride at both events.”

Patients with advanced cancer come from across the North East and Cumbria for treatment at the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre, at the Freeman Hospital’s Northern Centre for Cancer Care, in Newcastle.

The Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre serves a catchment area of 3.5m people regionally and is making a global impact against cancer.

To support Keith on his Cannibal Run challenge, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/keith-farquharson-cannibal-run?s=09