Taking on the Tour de France with Blood Cancer
In the latest episode of Cure Leukaemia’s Let’s Talk Blood Cancer: The Patients Podcast, host Adam Joyce sits down with four Tour 21 riders, all living with or recovering from blood cancer, speaking from their training camp in Calpe, as they prepare for an extraordinary challenge.
The Challenge
Cyman Davies, David Stoyle, Bob Munro, and Chris Edgerton, all amateur cyclists, are taking on the full Tour de France route to raise funds for Cure Leukaemia, just one week ahead of the professionals.
Joined by 10 others, they will complete 21 stages over three weeks, covering 3,333 kilometres, climbing 54,500 metres, and tackling 30 mountains and more!
Why take on the Tour de France?
After being diagnosed with leukaemia in 2020, Cyman wanted to throw himself into an activity for a new purpose. Determined not to “sit around feeling unwell”, Cyman wanted to challenge himself.
For David, a keen cyclist of around 15 years, the ambition had always been there, but it was his blood cancer diagnosis, discovered during a hip replacement operation, that became the turning point. It gave him the drive to turn that long-held goal into reality and fuel his fundraising efforts.
Bob has been living with myeloma for 14 years. Inspired by watching Bradley Wiggins win the Tour de France in 2012, he bought his first bike two years later. By 2016, he was taking on London to Paris. Despite initial doubts about the physical demands, he completed the ride feeling stronger than ever, and has since returned to take on the challenge five more times.
Chris turned to cycling after being diagnosed with a rare lymphoma in 2017. Even after six months of chemotherapy, he pushed himself to take on an ambitious ride from Los Angeles to Boston. A former cancer nurse at The Christie in Manchester, he now reflects, “Cancer is probably the best thing that ever happened to me, as a wake-up call.”
Fundraising Efforts
In February, the Tour 21 team reached an impressive milestone, surpassing £100,000 in fundraising. For David, raising money was initially one of the biggest barriers to taking on the challenge. However, when realising it’s “better to share your diagnosis than keep it to yourself”, he has organised coffee mornings, charity dinners, to drive donations, and help other people living with blood cancer.
Bob, is aiming to raise £100,000 through this challenge. By growing his network and building strong connections, he has already raised £30,000. Meanwhile, Chris is targeting £75,000 and has also passed the £30,000 mark, with much of his fundraising coming through corporate support. Despite the generosity he has received, Chris is clear about his motivation; he doesn’t “want anyone giving money because they feel sorry for him. He wants to have earned it,” which is why he has taken on such a demanding challenge.
Looking Forward
The team are particularly excited about the opportunity to “ride like one of the pros”, taking on the same climbs, including the iconic Montée de Solaison. Part of what is considered one of the toughest Tour routes put together in decades, with stages 19 and 20 standing out as especially daunting.
When faced with the challenges of the Tour ahead, Chris reflects on a defining moment which came during his ride across America. Struggling physically and emotionally, questioning “why me” and feeling that his diagnosis wasn’t fair. Overcome with emotion, he suddenly realised he could do it, a turning point that has stayed with him ever since and one he feels he will need during the tough climbs of the Tour route, “you just know you have to keep going”.
Speaking to others currently undergoing treatment, Chris encourages them to “live one day at a time and be as positive as you can”.
“Cancer is the same as cycling, going up a hill. If you start thinking I could get off, you can get off very quickly”. If you don’t give up after you’re told about your diagnosis, you can fight it harder.
Watch Tour 21 Team’s podcast episode in full: