Marc Kavanagh

In a few days I will be taking part in the Tour de 4 in Glasgow. Last year, I was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in my late forties with no symptoms or warning signs. This news was absolutely devastating to me, my amazing wife, wonderful girls (8 & 6) and my wider family and friends. What followed was an overwhelming blur of scans, appointments, tests, biopsies and treatments, with little opportunity to ‘process’ what on earth was going on. After the initial shock I decided to get to work; lots of research and positive lifestyle changes - anything to retain some form of control over my life. My journey over the past 14 months has been hard, sometimes brutal. It has been and continues to feel relentless and exhausting, but I’m proud of how I and my family have come through it so far with the help of so many people around us, be that family, friends, work, doctors, nurses etc. the list is massive. I recognise that cancer does kind of define you, contrary to the maxim that it doesn’t. I’m at peace with that. However, I refuse to accept that life ends when cancer starts. My belief is that it’s an opportunity to change, and to help others going through a similar situation in the process. I’m raising money for Maggie’s, to help them to continue providing free, practical, emotional and social support to people living with cancer, as well as their families and friends. They helped me enormously throughout the hardest days of my treatment, reassembling me emotionally a couple of times during difficult spells; I fell into into Christie’s branch in bits as the enormity of everything came crashing home after months of trying to hold it together for everyone around me (the lowest point in my life). I will be forever grateful for the support I received during that period - thank you guys! I’m no cyclist, and I know this bike ride will be hard and uncomfortable, but I’m lucky and very grateful that I’ll be doing it with my big bro Damian and my nephew Ben. Family riding side by side, having some fun, and doing something positive after a tough year. If you are able to support, any donation, however small, would mean a huge amount. More importantly, it will help Maggie’s to continue to be there for other people when they are going through their hardest days. Thank you so much for your support. Marc