Want to join me in supporting a good cause? I'm raising money for EGFR Positive UK and your contribution will make an impact, whether you donate a lot or a little. Anything helps. Thank you for your support.

My Story,

In September 2022, Steve and took our campervan for a 3 week European road trip. We had just reached Sienna where we met up with our children, Louis and Eden. We were staying for a week together in a lovely house just outside the city. The sun was shining and a week of cycling, sightseeing and relaxation lay before us.

On the Sunday, we went for a ride in the Tuscan countryside but I found myself cautious of big hills - something inside was telling me I couldn’t make it. During the night I could barely sleep, I was in such pain, seemingly coming from my back, something was very wrong.

I headed to the local hospital on the Monday morning, I was admitted, treated for pneumonia and told I had a fractured rib. They advised me to return home asap and arrange further scans when I got there. And so, we meandered home, taking a slow, restful pace through the Ardeshe and onto Lille. Taking the antibiotics I’d been prescribed I was fine until we reached the ferry in Amsterdam. Onboard that night the pain I felt in my spine took my breath away and made me physically sick. On reaching Newcastle we decided to head straight to A&E in our home town of Darlington.

After a day of tests and scans I was told by a very kind Doctor that I had a cancerous tumour in my lung, that had been there for some time as it measured 6cm! The following day I went for further scans which identified tumours in my spine, ribs and skull! Over the following weeks a biopsy identified a genetic mutation - EGFR, this would prove to be the best chance I had of living.

Treatable but not curable, I now take a daily tablet and have scans to monitor the benefits of the medication and identify and areas of progression. In December 2024 a small tumour popped up in my brain which was quickly treated with a targeted radiotherapy. I have further scans in June that will hopefully show no further changes and then it’s all systems go for the Tour de Four in September!

The EGFR + charity has been my go to source of support since my diagnosis.

'EGFR+UK is the only UK charity exclusively dedicated to families and patients affected by the gene-driven, EGFR+ lung cancer.

They work tirelessly to raise awareness of EGFR+ lung cancer, and in doing so, help to save lives and improve outcomes for patients affected by this disease.

As a charity we promote earlier diagnosis of lung cancer, including raising awareness of lung cancer in never-smokers.

By raising funds for EGFR+ UK, you will be helping to improve outcomes for patients with gene-mutated lung cancers.'