Bike ride for pancreatic cancer (From Harrow Times)

Bike ride for pancreatic cancer

3:44pm Tuesday 19th October 2004

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A HARROW man who suffered from cancer is celebrating the first anniversary of his life-saving surgery by undertaking a bike ride from his Bolton hometown to the hospital in Hammersmith, London, where he was treated, 250 miles in three days.

Starting on November 27 at the Reebok Stadium, home of Bolton Wanderers, Les Niewiara of Marlborough Hill, Harrow View, and nine friends will head south in convoy, with the goal of raising the profile of and money for Pancreatic Cancer UK.

Les, 44, has called it the Les Niewiara Bike to the Future Ride.

Pancreatic cancer is the fifth biggest killer in that family of diseases, but usually its victims are over 60-years-old. Les was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November 2003. It was only Les' age and fitness that led surgeons to attempt the major surgery he needed, and now he aims to reward their faith with his ride to raise the profile of this little known cancer.

"It started off with the concept of sharing my experience of being in hospital and going through the various treatment stages," explains Les. "Then I thought beyond that and felt there was an opportunity there to do something a bit bigger and better, and the idea of the bike ride started as a way of publicising the issues around pancreatic cancer - not just among the public, but among health professionals as well "The ride isn't only a challenge for me one year on from my operation, but also because I am not a regular cyclist. There was a challenge just in doing something we had not done before, and also the cycling issue was probably inspired a bit by Lance Armstrong, a cancer survivor who has won a record breaking six Tour de France races.

"I'm going to be riding with nine friends who were amazingly supportive throughout my diagnosis and treatment. I had an awful lot of support, but these guys have decided to take on the challenge of the ride with me. The majority of guys I have known for over 20 years, and include one friend who has been through thick and thin with me since we first met at primary school at the age of five in Bolton. We all go back a long way."

For more information on pancreatic cancer, and on Les and his ride, visit www.pancreaticcanceruk.org.uk.

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