Seán McCamphill will take on the challenge of cycling London 2 Paris 2023, 5 years after his mum was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and was treated at Belfast City Hospital.
Seán is taking on this challenge a year after his dad, Niall McCamphill rode The Tour 21 in 2022 – riding all 21 stages of The Tour De France to also raise funds for Cure Leukaemia.

Seán spoke about the moment his family found out about when his mum was first diagnosis, and how this has inspired him to help raise funds for Cure Leukaemia.

 

“In October 2017 my mum, Fiona, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma – a type of blood cancer that affects bone marrow, and since then has been through radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and a stem cell transplant – and she is now in remission as a result.

I was in my final year of university and set to graduate with honours when a surprise trip home to visit my parents with my newly engaged brother and sister-in-law turned into a life-altering week of confusion, upset and fear of the unknown.
I still remember the feeling to this day and one that will likely never leave me.

It’s now 5 years on from the diagnosis, and my mum has made an excellent recovery which is no small feat when it comes to a diagnosis like this.
Much of this was down to the support she received in Belfast City Hospital and the Doctors and Nurses there – but also down to how strong mum was throughout her whole journey, which still continues today.”

This isn’t the first time that someone in his family have dedicated their time and efforts to raising funds for Cure Leukaemia, as last year, his dad, Niall McCamphill rode Cure Leukaemia’s The Tour 21 – taking on all 21 stages of The Tour De France Route.

 

“The cause means so much to me and my family, as well as many other people around the world – fighting back against blood cancer and the impact it has on people like my mum and my family.
If I can have even a small impact on research and funding the amazing work that the team is doing it’s more than worth it.
The work that Cure Leukaemia does is simply amazing – my mum attended Belfast City Hospital during her treatment which is one of the TAP Centres in the UK, conducting vital research into finding a cure.
My dad also did The Tour 21 last year and I have to live up to his legacy in some way as well!”

Seán will be cycling a total of 500km from Greenwich Park and finishing in Paris in June 2023 and will be joining 150 other riders.
He has a personal fundraising target of raising £1,500 for Cure Leukaemia, and so far, he has already raised over £500.

 

“I’m feeling apprehensive but excited!
I hadn’t been on a road bike properly until a few weeks ago (my dad has been trying to convince me for a while) and I love the fact that I can find enjoyment and peace on the bike while trying to do good.
The training is all going well although I have to say I absolutely despise a hill…
I’m still getting used to my new bike, but I definitely feel like I’m setup for success – you’ll often find me lost around London though because my sense of direction isn’t great even though I now live and work in London.”

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Find out more about London 2 Paris 2023