In November 2003, Les Niewiara was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer - the 5th highest cause of death through cancer in the UK. He had major surgery to remove the tumour and part of his pancreas and to replumb his digestive system and then underwent 6 months of chemotherapy.
You can read Les' full case study under the 'Patient Biographies' section on this website.
Les organised 'bike to the future', to mark the 1st anniversary of his surgery. He was accompanied by a group of friends who supported him throughout his treatment.
They wanted to raise awareness of Pancreatic Cancer and to publicise the work of the group now charity Pancreatic Cancer UK
with which Les had become associated over the previous year.
They also wanted to raise funds to support the aims of Pancreatic Cancer UK ie for pancreatic cancer research, information, support and care
(Note that the plaster on his left arm in the photo was not due to his treatment but his active life-style! He fractured a bone in his hand when he fell over whilst training an under-10 girl's football team. We are pleased to report that the plaster cast has now been removed and is not hindering training for the ride).
What
was Bike to the Future?
They cycled from Bolton (Les' birthplace) to Hammersmith Hospital, London (Les' ongoing treatment centre), a distance of ~400km in 3 days.
Pancreatic
Cancer UK
This national charity has grown out of a virtual support network of people affected by pancreatic cancer. They have worked voluntarily to develop the charity's web-site http://www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk. The aims of the charity are to provide information on pancreatic cancer to patients, caregivers and GPs, to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer to aid earlier diagnosis and stimulate and enable more research into better treatment and to provide support, inspiration and advocacy for others affected by pancreatic cancer. They are benefitting from the support of some of the top specialists in the UK and in particular those who are members of the Pancreatic Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. More information on pancreatic cancer, the aims of Pancreatic Cancer UK and the vital need for improved and novel diagnostic methods and treatment options can be found on the web-site.
This is summarised in the aims page of the web-site.
How can you help?
By looking at the website: www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk and publicising it in your doctor's surgery, Health Centre etc. You can download copies of the 'Aims Leaflet' and 'information leaflet'
By donating to support the work of Pancreatic Cancer UK:
for pancreatic cancer research, information, support and care
You can donate on-line at Justgiving www.justgiving.com/pcuk/donate
Or by contacting the charity and more details are available on the donations page
Please take some time to look at these pages and learn more about
the team and the bike ride by using the links on the left hand side.
Thank you from Les and the team
