LOCAL MUM DETERMINED TO WALK 200 MILES TO FUND POTENTIALLY LIFE-SAVING CANCER TREATMENT

Leeds mum and stage 4 cancer patient Nicola Chapman, 45, has planned a 200-mile Coast to Coast walking challenge this July to help her access a personalised cancer vaccine treatment being developed in Germany. Nicola was diagnosed in May 2022 with a rare type of kidney cancer (stage 3 papillary renal cell carcinoma) which despite NHS treatment had unfortunately spread to her lungs by January 2024 and was deemed incurable.

Nicola hopes the fundraiser will help her access potentially life-saving treatment which is not currently available in the UK.

Nicola says:

“Receiving a cancer diagnosis changes your life overnight. While I’m incredibly grateful for the care and treatment I’ve received through the NHS, I’ve also been exploring additional therapies that could improve my length and quality of life.

The personalised vaccine treatment being developed in Germany offers hope, but at a cost well beyond my means. Walking 200 miles across the country feels like a positive way to raise awareness while hopefully raising the funds needed, and is a challenge I’m able to rise to while still feeling reasonably fit.

I know times are difficult for many people, so any support — whether through donations, encouragement or simply sharing the fundraiser — will mean a huge amount to me and my family.”

The personalised vaccine treatment is designed specifically for individual patients and works alongside standard NHS cancer therapies by helping the immune system recognise and target cancer cells more effectively.

Nicola plans to start the walk in St Bees in Cumbria at the start of July, finishing at Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire by the end of the month. This Coast to Coast route made famous by Alfred Wainwright was recently designated a National Trail. The challenge will take place during the month of July, with the aim of raising £30,000 to fund the German treatment.

The Coast to Coast walk covers some of the most challenging and scenic terrain in England, crossing the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors. Nicola, who was born in Lancashire and now lives in Yorkshire, views this as a fitting route for someone who made a west to east transition earlier in life.

Nicola says:

“I moved to Leeds from Bolton in 1999 to study at the University and currently work there as a cleaner. I lived in Chapel Allerton whilst raising my daughter who is now 18 and preparing to go to university herself. I want to be around to see her graduate and well beyond!”

Supporters will be able to follow Nicola’s progress next month via social media updates and fundraising pages.

Anyone wishing to support the fundraiser or learn more about the challenge can visit:

Website: https://nickicksoutcancer.org/

Instagram: @nic.kicks.out.cancer

Gofundme: https://gofund.me/49f816de4