Some thoughts on a busy week

This past week has been about a lot of different things.  As always at this time of year we have been preparing to launch our awareness activities during April.  Our campaign to Lift the Lid will, we hope, get people talking about one of the last taboos in society.  It uses our typical approach, using toilet seats and a little humour to try and get people to talk.

But, the last week has also been about other things, such as: men and bowel cancer; the way in which the "new" NHS structures work, or don't, for bowel cancer patients; how to get our other campaigns and fundraising plans to be more effective; and a host of internal issues concerned with running a busy charity trying to "punch above its weight".  But, every day I keep coming back to one thing - how can we do more?

The challenge for a charity our size - with a comparatively small income compared to other cancer charities - is how to grow to help more people.  I want to get to more people because I see the great work we do. Gary, one of our Helpline nurses, said it well:

"I believe I am affecting lives for the better. When someone calls the helpline, I am able to give them a listening ear, informed advice and as much time as they need. I feel privileged to be part of the work of Beating Bowel Cancer and to be able to provide this essential support to people at what can often be a time of crisis.”

A small problem - no bike!

Ok.  I do have a bike.  But it's a mountain bike.  I am told that beginning road training this is ok, but I need to get a proper road bike and associated "kit" soon.  Off to my local bike shop - Switchback cycles in Woking - who are terrific.  Their owner is even doing Ride London, having got a place through the ballot.  He isn't fundraising for a charity - yet!  By the time I am finished with him he will - for us!  Jamie, their expert, tells me that I need a list of things, which are: Giant Defy One Bike, Inner tubes x 2, Pedals, Garmin navigator (nice to have apparently), Shoes, Bottle cage x 2, Bottles x 2, Bib shorts, Shorts, Jersey, Gloves, Baselayer.  All of these are new to me (well the bike is expected).  And I thought a bike came with pedals but it doesn't!!!  Total cost just shy of £1,400.  Wow!  How does everyone else do it?  I really appreciate now how committed our Beating Bowel Cancer Ride London team must be.

So, who wants to help me out?  Anyone got a bike to donate at least?  Just asking. X

If you want help and information about bowel cancer please go to: www.beatingbowelcancer.org.

Why our "family" matters

It was the much missed Alison Selfe who referred to us - the charity, its supporters, those who talk to each other on twitter, Facebook and our online, forum -  as her "bowel cancer family".  Whilst we all have our own families whom we love, Alison's description said something very real that I certainly strongly identify with.

Through Beating Bowel Cancer I have met individuals whom I would never have met.  Some are "survivors" (personally not sure about that word).  Some are current "fighters" (don't like that word).  All are very strong individuals, usually because they have had the need to be "strong" thrust upon them by this awful cancer.  Every one has taught me something that has not just, I hope, made me better at and more determined in my role as Chief Executive, but has also given me something that puts my personal life in perspective.

We all get annoyed with other drivers (don't you?), or when you trip over the cat, or when the month seems to be longer than the funds available.   But, just now and again, myself and my other half, Karen, remind ourselves that others face/have faced real challenges and that we need to enjoy life as much as possible because it is very precious.  I remember Jane Bardsley saying to me that is ok for other people to have bad days and to get grumpy, even to complain at just having the common cold, but where we can we should also try and count the good things too, even if just once in a while.

So, the sun is shining outside, I am feeling virtuous/smug because I went to the gym four days out of five and my daughter is coming over this weekend.  These are good things.  Enjoy your good things too.  X

If you want help and information about bowel cancer please go to: www.beatingbowelcancer.org.

Here we go...Ride London, Beating Bowel Cancer and a MAMIL

I'm in.  Despite being 51 years old, overweight (dead on 14 stone) and possibly the very definition of a MAMIL (middle aged man in lycra) I have signed up to do Ride London for "my" wonderful charity Beating Bowel Cancer on 10th August this year.  Yes, that's 100 miles on a bike!

My reason for putting myself through months of unaccustomed exercise and a very sore bottom is simple - I was inspired by the 2013 team and one individual in particular.  On 4th August last year I had the pleasure of welcoming our Beating Bowel Cancer Ride team to the post event reception.  The team, led by our excellent Patron Matt Dawson, were outstanding and raised an amazing £117,000.  The buzz at the reception was clear and everyone I spoke to beat their expected time and said it was the best event they had taken part in it.  Some - including Matt - looked at me and said "You next year?".  But it was when I spoke to team member Christian, who has advanced bowel cancer and had a tumour removed from each lung in the months previously, that I realised I had to sign up.  Simply put, I thought "He did it I should too".

But there is another set of people who have inspired me.  Very sadly, bitterly, these people are no longer with us - bowel cancer took them.  People like the two Alisons.  Each were in their early 60's when they died and each had moved from receiving support from our charity to being individuals who supported us in so many ways.  One Alison was tireless in supporting others, providing encouragement and telling her own story as a way of sharing other's pain.  The other Alison faced her cancer for 10 years and was inspired to produce poetry that relayed the reality of what she faced.  I am also motivated to do this ride by Tony, who beat every deadline given him by the doctors and, when he left us in January at aged 51, did so with humour and grace, teaching me that people can be remarkable in the face of the awful.  And Hannah, who we lost just 20 days after her 30th birthday, reminds me that bowel cancer is no respecter of age and the very young.  I could go on - Hazel, Jane, Katie, Stewart, Sheila and many more, too many, whom we have lost in the last year alone.  They all remind us why we need to go on providing support, raising awareness, making sure the care and treatment is the best available wherever people live.

So, this blog will remember them, will help explain what we at Beating Bowel Cancer do to support people like them and the steps we are taking to beat the UK's second biggest cancer killer.  And this blog will also take you through my own journey from overweight MAMIL to svelte cyclist who can easily ride 100 miles to raise money for Beating Bowel Cancer.  Watch this space.

If you need help and information about bowel cancer please go to www.beatingbowelcancer.org