Chris’s bionic life after cancer!

Hi, my name is Chris and in January of 2024, I was diagnosed with a grade 3 giant cell sarcoma in my right lower femur (we named it Neil, and you get points if you can work out why).

I was told I was to be immobile for much of the next year as I wasn’t allowed to weight bear on affected leg, and I would be receiving an aggressive course of chemo every two-three weeks for the next nine months. This was a huge adjustment to make as I had previously enjoyed such an active lifestyle, from home and gym workouts to climbing and wakeboarding as well as dashing around a classroom all day as a teacher.

After three, pretty horrible months of chemotherapy, I was told the treatment was having no impact and unfortunately Neil had continued to grow, down into the knee joint and into soft tissue regions (what an arsehole).

Due to Neil’s aggressive tendencies, the only recommended course of action, and the one most likely to save my

life, was for me to have an above knee amputation. What was previously seen as a distant last resort was now my best hope at surviving the cancer. Cue many tears, tissues and dark jokes as we processed this horrendous news.

After a successful surgery, I am now focusing on a long course of physiotherapy and limb fitting and preparing to adjust to life with a prosthetic leg.

Please help me raise money for the costs of accessing and living with an artificial limb, and helping me maintain as close to normal function as possible throughout my (hopefully Neil-free) life.

Any donation you make is wholeheartedly appreciated. Anyone who has been through or knows of someone going through cancer understands what a shit-storm it is, but also knows how much it means to have people’s support.

Thank you so much in advance.