"I'm so pleased to have an opportunity to support my husband and the wider WM community." - Catherine Ferris, London to Paris cyclist.
Our team of intrepid cyclists will be soon be kicking off their epic challenge in London. Over three days, they’ll tackle hills, cities and aching legs to take them all the way to Paris, finishing in style outside the Eiffel Tower.
The team is made up of WM patients and their families and friends, including Catherine who is riding alongside her husband Tim, a WM patient. Here's her story.
“It was an easy decision.”
“During the three years since my husband’s diagnosis with WM I’ve done my best to be quietly supportive,” writes Catherine. “His cancer was discovered through routine health checks, they’d spotted anomalies in his bloods which prompted further investigation.
“Tim is a calm, private man, he doesn’t dramatise or seek attention, always thoughtful of those in a worse situation. He doesn’t currently require treatment.
“Supporting him has mainly involved listening, learning and saying yes; listening when he talks about his feelings, his active monitoring appointments and results; learning about WM as fully as I can, mainly through the WMUK website; saying yes to invitations and suggestions to continuously try to live our best lives.
“So, when Tim said he was considering the London to Paris ride for the second time and asked if I fancied joining him it was an easy decision. He’s always been a keen cyclist and has encouraged me to ride with him since a holiday rental which included bikes. On our return home I bought a bike, helmet and the essential padded shorts, and immediately wished I’d done so sooner.
“We ride in our local countryside and around the world in the garage when the weather isn’t playing ball.
“I’m so pleased to have a practical opportunity to demonstrate my support for Tim and the wider WM community. Our friends and family also appreciate the chance to express their care and concern through donations and to have an easy link to further information.
“I’m looking forward to cycling to Paris with excited trepidation- my stamina has certainly improved but I’m still not fast uphill!”
The team of ten riders are aiming to raise £20,000 for WMUK – a huge amount that will help us to keep funding information, support and research for people affected by Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia. You can follow their progress, and contribute to their overall total here.
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