My Story
Follow every step of the way here: https://www.strava.com/athletes/48463074 https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jimrijks_rijks-takes-on-paris-la-foi-pas-la-vue-activity-6846080272719466498-jVwm 31st Jan 2020. The date that changed everyone’s lives. Certainly difficult for us all but none more so than those in the most vulnerable point along life’s journey. Since the pandemic struck, significant declines in urgent referrals & chemotherapy attendance, postponement in surgical procedures and halting of cancer screening programmes has made the past year even more difficult for those in need of our National Health Service. The indirect consequence of repurposing of health services led to dramatic reductions in the demand for, and supply of, cancer services which have not fully recovered with lockdown easing. These may contribute, over a 1-year time horizon, to substantial excess mortality among people with cancer. But... As we have all seen, COVID has also been a unique opportunity to take a different view of life, recognize what's most important in life - friends and family. This is your opportunity to help me, help CRUK, support the families and friends in urgent need. Why Paris? Why a marathon? Who knows... all I know is that when the email from Emily at CRUK entered my inbox I was confident it was the right thing to do. I started running and it soon became a pastime (Beth calls it "an obsession"). Running allowed me to get out of the house for some fresh air, kept me exercising in an otherwise still world and was excellent for clearing my head. 2737km later (as of 21/09/21) - we are into the marathon training block heading for our final few long runs before race day. 17th October 2021 is the date - I will be running the Paris Marathon with my closest friends and family in support. Join me and raise as much as possible to beat cancer sooner!
