'Kidney cancer couldn't stop my pier-to-pier challenge' - Preston dad's thank you to Rosemere Cancer Centre
“I had to have a few stops but I have no words to thank the staff at Rosemere Cancer Centre enough for what they have done for me.”
Preston dad Graham Sims turned a day trip to Blackpool with his wife Nikki and nine-year-old daughter Chloe into a fundraising opportunity for Rosemere Cancer Foundation, raising £622 for the charity by walking the distance between South and Central Piers.
The 1.1 mile promenade walk took 46-year-old Graham one minute over the hour mark – a far cry from the days just a couple of years back when Graham would turn out to play football three times a week.
Graham, who raised his donation via his online Just Giving page to give back to staff at Rosemere Cancer Centre where he is currently in treatment for stage 4 kidney cancer, said: “I began struggling with hip pain. I went to the doctor a number of times and we tried various things but eventually, I was referred to a specialist and had a scan. In April 2024, I was diagnosed with kidney cancer that had already spread into my hip and thigh bones. It was this that was my causing my pain.”
Graham, who runs student accommodation in Preston for a private property firm, continued: “The following month, I had part of my thigh bone and my hip replaced. I also underwent a course of radiotherapy and started immunotherapy.
“In May of last year, I underwent surgery to have my diseased kidney removed as treatment had shrunk my kidney tumour sufficiently for the operation to go ahead. I’m still undergoing immunotherapy, which is thankfully currently keeping things in check, but my recuperation has been long and hard and I have had to give up a lot of what I used to do before my diagnosis.”
Graham added: “Walking is now something I find challenging. I have a mobility scooter for longer distances and a stick for shorter ones. I did want to walk from South to North Pier but Nikki said I had to be realistic, which is why I walked to Central Pier using my stick. I walked with Chloe with Nikki riding my scooter alongside us in case I needed it. I had to have a few stops but I have no words to thank the staff at Rosemere Cancer Centre enough for what they have done for me.
“Nikki and Chloe have also been incredible. They have been a massive support. I’m very grateful to everyone who sponsored me, including a lot of the lads I used to play football with.”
Hannah Leahy, fundraising assistant for Rosemere Cancer Foundation, said: “Everybody’s mountain has a different summit when it comes to taking on physical challenges. We are very grateful to Graham for walking for us and to all those, who supported him. I know cancer centre staff involved in Graham’s treatment will be very touched by what Graham has achieved. I’m sure they will also have thoughts on what his donation should be spent.”
About Rosemere
Rosemere Cancer Foundation works to bring world class cancer treatments and services to cancer patients from throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria being treated at Rosemere Cancer Centre, Lancashire and South Cumbria’s regional specialist cancer treatment and radiotherapy centre at the Royal Preston Hospital, and also at another eight local hospital cancer units across the two counties.