Rachel's campaign for oral cancer

On September 8 I ( Rachel Walker) will be doing my biggest cycling challenge to date – riding 200 miles in one day probably about 12 hours in the saddle. The most I’ve ever ridden is 112 miles so only another 88 miles to go. Plenty of peddling will be needed. To give you a bit of background why I’m doing this I got in to road cycling nearly three years ago after having mouth cancer I’m now two and half years in remission – pat on the back for me but not everyone is that lucky. Cycling gave me something to focus on and gives me a bit of respite from the constant soreness I have in my mouth. The whole cancer thing hit me pretty hard, I like to think I’m fairly young, never smoked and not a big drinker so to be hit with something like this turned my life upside down both physically and mentally. The journey has been hard at times with lots of ups and downs and I’ve made some dramatic changes in my life, but I’ve come out of the other end a stronger person - a survivor. I can’t say I’m pain free as I’ve always got a burning sensation on my tongue and tightness in my neck but it’s something you just learn to live with it after all I’m one of the lucky ones catching it early. The cancer campaign is spot on you live with cancer it never leaves you. The cause I’m raising money for is for my consultant’s charity (Mr Muzzammil Nusrath) Living with mouth and face cancer and beyond. While I was in rehabilitation there was a lack of support for this type of cancer. There were no self-help groups where you could talk to people who are in a similar situation. All of the funding had been stripped by the government and being told you’re on a waiting list for professional help when you are desperate to talk to someone about what’s normal or not is not helpful. But this is not due to the NHS but through the lack of funding. I hope the money I raise will help others get the right support they need so they have someone to talk to and not feel alone through their journey. People always tell you it’s okay, what you’re experiencing is normal but how do they know when they’ve not lived and breathed it day in day out. This is my chance to make a difference and help people with mouth / face cancer get the right level of support they need to be able to move forward from their treatment. I would like to thank you in advance for your support and generosity, it will make such a difference and raise awareness of mouth and face cancer which is becoming increasingly common amongst people in their forties.