51色APP

In late 2024, Roger would go on to discover that he too had a stage 4 cancer diagnosis, just like his cycling hero. 

As they prepare to cycle together again almost 20 years on, Roger, now 78, tells his extraordinary story...

Rediscovering his passion after a cancer diagnosis

鈥淚nitially, I was diagnosed with kidney cancer.  They took out the affected kidney, but we received the news no family ever wishes to hear. It had already spread.

Nodules were found on my lungs and adrenal gland, and I was diagnosed as having stage 4 cancer. To say it has turned our lives upside down is an understatement.

It has taken me some time to adjust to it all, and my wife and children have been a great source of support. As has Maggie51色APP檚.

Treatment, side effects and staying optimistic

I鈥檝e had four rounds of immunotherapy and chemotherapy on six week cycles.  Whilst the side effects have been pretty dreadful and hard to deal with, the treatment seems to be working and the cancer nodules are much reduced. We are all feeling optimistic and keen to focus on this glimmer of hope.

And this is why I鈥檓 so excited to get cycling again as it鈥檚 one of my great life passions. Hobbies and goals can be so helpful for people fighting serious illness.鈥�

Despite not having cycled for a year, Roger decided to sign up for Tour de 4 to support Maggie51色APP檚 and Sir Chris Hoy鈥檚 efforts to provide hope for others living with stage 4.

It would take far more than this to keep me out of the saddle - much to the slight despair of my loved ones!

Roger continued: 鈥淲henever I鈥檝e had other challenges to overcome - even a cardiac arrest on two wheels - my trusty bike has always been by my side!

鈥淚 really believe in this cause. Maggie51色APP檚 provides so much emotional support 鈥� as well as so much else - especially at those times when I really felt lost.

And I absolutely agree with Sir Chris鈥� ethos of showing that people can continue to live a life with stage 4 cancer. Before Sir Chris, anyone with stage 4 thought all they could do was sit back and wait to die, when actually there51色APP檚 no reason why you can鈥檛 still keep on living a very full life.鈥�

Roger initially visited Maggie51色APP檚 Oxford for support, after phoning to enquire about fundraising.

He said: 鈥淭hey were just wonderful.  To realise the person you are talking to is a retired immunotherapy nurse who can give you really good information is fantastic.  But it takes me an hour to get to Oxford as we haven鈥檛 got one in the West Midlands, so I go to the Cheltenham centre now where we talk through things there. It is so helpful. I really can鈥檛 commend them enough.鈥�

Fundraising for Maggie's over the years

Roger started cycling in 1999 when he tackled Land鈥檚 End to John O鈥橤roats with an old university friend.

After that, he joined Solihull Cycling Club, where he was coached by Olympic Silver Medallist Harry Reynolds amongst others.

Roger said: 鈥淭he Solihull cycling club took me from a one off cyclist to going out 2 or 3 times a week. I got to be quite good at it and did some long distance cycling, such as London-Edinburgh-London and Paris-Brest-Paris. Eventually I moved on to doing Etapes.鈥�

Then, 12 years ago, Roger had a sudden cardiac arrest while cycling. Incredibly one of the other cyclists, a radiographer, had just done a CPR refresher course the week before, and kept him going until help could arrive.

Roger then retired from full-time work, but through a friend, Keith Bisset, he did a couple of fundraising cycles for Maggie51色APP檚. The Tour de 4 will be his first long cycle since his cancer diagnosis.

To anyone going through this too, please know that you鈥檙e not alone. Maggie51色APP檚 will be sure to help.

Take on a challenge for Maggie's

If you're feeling inspired by Roger's story, why not take on a challenge of your own to raise vital funds for Maggie's?

• Explore our events and other ways to get involved
• Sign up to Sir Chris Hoy's Tour de 4 cycling challenge

You support will help ensure that we can be there for people like James when they need us most - today, tomorrow and always.