Steve's campaign for OcuMel UK

Due to health issues and personal circumstances I could not do the below challenge. I found for my safety it would be a struggle as my vision has got worse. After a couple of falls off the bike I did not want risk the challenge. I was putting a team together to Cycle from Moorfields Eye Hospital in London to Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in the Wirral at the end of April and biggining of May 2023. This was meant to take place in 2020 but Covid stopped us from doing this.

So for a new challenge will be the 3 peaks!

For those that don't know on the 12th August 2019 my life changed in an instant and totally unexpectedly. After an eye test at Vision Express I was advised to go to Moorfields Eye Hospital in London with a suspected detached retina. I had some tests done which showed I did have a detached retina however its cause was something far more sinister, the doctor told me I had a 8mm tumour known as a uveal/ocular melanoma, an extremely rare form of cancer. I have since had an operation to sew markers on to my eyeball to prepare it for Proton Beam Therapy which I had on from the 7th to 11th October at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre. This treatment can only be done in 2 places in the world, here in the UK and in the USA so I feel incredibly lucky to have had access to this life saving treatment. I will have liver scans every 6 months for the rest of my life at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre as even if the treatment stops my eye cancer growing it can travel to the liver but I am determined to fight it every step.

I'm sure like many people, myself included, you had never heard of this type of cancer as it is so rare so I want to take on this challenge to raise awareness of Ocular Melanoma and collect desperately needed funds for this amazing charity to help people like myself. 

Any help you can offer would mean so much to me, if you aren't able to contribute financially I completely understand, even a share on social media would be amazing! Thank you so much for reading my story, I look forward to sharing mine and my teams journey with you all!

More information about OcuMel UK: OcuMel UK is a registered charity supporting those affected by ocular melanoma. We aim to help patients and their families by providing accurate, up-to-date information and emotional support via our website, helpline and online forums. Our vision is a world where ocular melanoma patients are given the information, support and treatment they need.