Joe Alexander

Joe was diagnosed with a very rare kind of cancer that doctors told him was terminal in 2000. Thanks to the Royal Marsden, a new trial chemo and open chest surgery to remove the tumour, Joe has been all clear for 10 years. He has always been generous and giving, even when in the hospital receiving treatment and not knowing how his future would pan out he volunteered to talk to new patients about his PIC line if they were nervous or scared of the procedure. Every year since his recovery he has raised money for cancer research. Last year to celebrate his 10 year anniversary of good health he rallied nine friends and they cycled from London to Paris raising over £13,000 for charity. Everything was arranged by Joe and the others so that every penny went straight to the charity. Joe had never been on a bike before other than for leisure reasons but has taken to it like a duck to water and last month completed the Fred Whitton challenge, a gruelling 112 mile ride through the Lake District. Competitive Cycling is now a major part of his life and another event from Calais to Cannes is planned for 2012 to raise yet more money. We thought we would lose Joe in 2000 so to see him competing and raising money every year is a joy to behold. He is an inspiration as well as a wonderful person and I think he is truly deserving of the chance to bear the torch!