Kevin Griffiths – Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year nominee
Kevin Griffiths – Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year nominee
Kevin Griffiths has raised around £200,000 for charity after being diagnosed with bowel cancer six years ago.
The Trentham businessman set up Cancer My Arse as a fundraising platform, to raise awareness and increasingly to encourage people to become ‘cancer ready’ as one in two of us will have our lives closely affected by cancer.
He has undergone 29 rounds of radiotherapy, four major surgeries and will be on intense chemotherapy for the rest of his life, which involves two weeks of chemotherapy followed by a three week break.
The University of Staffordshire alumnus, who has owned and run a number of successful businesses, sold his business interests to concentrate on his treatment, fundraising and spending time with his children, who were aged just nine and 11 years at the time of his first diagnosis.
He said: “I was originally told that I’d have two years without treatment and I’ve already had six years. My children are now aged 16 and 18 and they’ve been such special years for me to enjoy with them and to make the very most of.”
Kevin’s cancer journey began just as Covid-19 was emerging, when he started passing blood. He received quick treatment despite the pandemic and was diagnosed with bowel cancer.
The 50-year-old had his bowel removed and a permanent stoma fitted. 12 months later the cancer had spread to both of his lungs so he had the lower left and top right sections of his lungs removed. He was given the all clear after chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but 12 months later the cancer had returned.
Cancer My Arse has raised money for up to a dozen different causes including the Douglas Macmillan Hospice, Cancer Research, Prostate Cancer and Bowel Cancer charities.
Fundraisers have included cycling events as Kevin and his family have a long history of competitive cycling and his family still owns Swynnerton Cycles. The most recent fundraiser was a bake sale organised by his daughter at Newcastle-under-Lyme College and a big bike ride is being lined up for 2027 with the aim of raising £100,000.
Alongside fundraising Kevin also set out to raise awareness, although he says this has now moved towards encouraging people to be ‘cancer ready’.
He said: “I thought cancer was cancer. I didn’t know there were so many different types of cancer, so many variants.
“It’s one thing being aware of cancer but do people really know and understand that getting an early diagnosis can really help with extending life.
“My message is for people to be cancer ready so they’ll know what to do if they or someone close to them is diagnosed. I’ve had people in tears and having panic attacks on the phone. I’ve been helping them to get onto ChatGPT so that they can understand their diagnosis and keep track of their results. If people are ready then they won’t immediately go into panic mode and they’ll know where to start.
“Cancer My Arse has given me something to do other than walking around the house waiting. It’s given me a purpose and something positive.”
Cancer My Arse has won the support of famous faces including Davina McCall, Bradley Wiggins, Guy Ritchie and Lord Alan Sugar.
Kevin Griffiths has been nominated as Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year in the Your Heroes Awards.