Exeter Walk to beat blood cancer

Exeter resident and blood cancer patient Jamie Lynde (pictured in the middle) is organising the third annual Exeter Walk for blood cancer charity Bloodwise.

The fundraising walk, which starts at the Exeter Quay and follows the Exe Estuary Trail, will take place on Saturday 24th September this year. The family friendly event, which offers a choice of 8.6 or 12 mile routes, is open to all and members of the public are invited to sign up.

Jamie was moved to organise this year’s walk after being inspired by the event in 2015.  He was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in 2014 and a few weeks later started his treatment, which consists of taking two small orange tablets of a targeted cancer drug called Nilotinib, twice a day. This relatively new treatment, which was developed after decades of research, has revolutionised the lives of people with CML. After six months of treatment tests showed that there were no remaining cancer cells in Jamie’s blood.

Jamie will have to continue to take treatment every day to prevent the leukaemia from returning. He said: “I want all blood cancer patients to have access to great treatments like I have had.  This means I can pretty much carry on with my life, having a family, being a husband and dad, and having a job.  Hopefully by doing the sponsored walk we might raise more awareness about blood cancers, and the work that Bloodwise do, and raise a bit of cash!”

The Exeter Walk is going from strength to strength and Jamie would love to see as many people as possible down at Exeter Quay on the day to help beat blood cancer. The event starts at 9.30am on 24th September.

Ben Sykes, South West Regional Manager at Bloodwise, said: “We are constantly inspired by the stories of those fundraising for us and Jamie is absolutely no exception, he’s an inspiration. Every penny raised at this year’s walk will help us in our mission to stop people from dying, make patients’ lives better and take us one step closer to beating blood cancer – we hope to see you there!”

You can register to take part in the Exeter Walk at bloodwise.org.uk/exeter-walk. Entry to the event costs £10 for adults, £5 for children under 12 and £25 for a family.