Riding with the Alien

Graeme Heward was some years ago diagnosed with a rare sino-nasal cancer (cancer of the nasal lining).  Being diagnosed with cancer, which he soon dubbed ‘The Alien’, was the start of an incredible rollercoaster and 9 years later the alien is still with him, he has been placed on palliative care and is about to cycle 1090 miles for charity.

Graeme has undergone 29 operations, radiotherapy and chemotherapy during which time there has been significant damage to his face.  Comparatively early on the hole in his face was replaced by a skin and muscle flap grafted from his thigh; which is how things remained until 2018 when he was able to have an eye prosthesis.  And finally, following several failed attempts to rebuild his nose, he had a prosthetic nose fitted last year which means he is able to breathe properly and without pain, and even wear glasses!

Eventually two years ago Graeme’s treatment options were reduced to palliative chemotherapy only.  He realised he was about to exit this world unless he could make drastic changes to his life – he made 50 or so changes to diet, environmental exposure, stress reduction, supplementation etc.  Those changes coincided with the opening of Maggie’s centre in Manchester where Graeme lives.  The ethos of these centres is perhaps best summed up in a quote from their founder Maggie Keswick Jones ‘Above all what matters is not to lose the joy of living in the fear of dying’, a concept Graeme embodies

There are 22 Maggie’s centres throughout the UK providing free social, practical and emotional support to cancer sufferers, their families and friends. Maggie’s matched some of Graeme’s beliefs and became a major contributor in the stabilisation of his cancer. Find them at maggiescentres.org.

Graeme realised too few people were aware of Maggie’s facilities and resources, so he thought he’d try to change that, by cycling between all 22 Maggie’s centres, zigzagging across the country from Swansea to Inverness starting 26^th May 2019 and over the following 17 days completing his 1090 miles route.  His primary goal is to raise awareness of Maggie’s and all they offer so he asks you to read his story, read about the centres and above all pass the message on to friends and family who need their help.  Follow his progress on maggiestour.co.uk

He also has a Just Giving page set up to raise money for Maggie’s Centres, and with all the costs of the expedition being met by businesses, all donations will go directly to Maggie’s. Donate through the link below.

https://www.justgiving.com/maggies-tour?utm_source=Sharethis&utm_medium=fundraisingpage&utm_content=maggies-tour&utm_campaign=pfp-email&utm_term=DV2m4eaYj.

Route

• 26th May visit Maggie’s Swansea
• 27th May visit Maggie’sCheltenham

• 28th May visit Maggie’s Oxford
• 29th May visit Maggie’s West London, Maggie’s Royal Marsden,  Maggie’s Barts, Maggie’s Cancerkin in London and Maggie’s Cambridge
• 30th May cycle to Cotgrave
• 31st May visit Maggie’s Nottingham
• 4th June visit Maggie’s Clatterbridge and Maggie’s Manchester

• 5th June visit Maggie’s Oldham and Maggie’s Leeds
• 6th June cycle to Peterlee
• 7th June visit Maggie’s Newcastle
• 8th June cycle to Jedburgh
• 9th June cycle to Edinburgh