Father of one David Shakesby, from Loughborough, was diagnosed with tongue cancer last April, just before his 40th birthday. As a non-smoker and only an occasionally drinker, he was shocked and devastated by the diagnosis, as were his family and friends.
A SISTER who has been supporting her older brother through treatment for an aggressive mouth cancer is staging a fun-filled fund-raising event.
He underwent two operations and was recovering well, until further tests revealed that the cancer had spread to lymph nodes.
A third operation followed in the autumn, but surgeons were unable to remove the tumour and confirmed that his cancer is an aggressive type.
David began a gruelling six weeks of radiotherapy and chemotherapy which ended in January, and he is now awaiting a scan to see if the treatment has been effective.
On Saturday, July 30, David’s sister, Karen Shakesby Chappell, will be joined by his eight-year-old son Logan and lots of friends and family for a sponsored 5km walk, or 2.5km for those with younger children, followed by a picnic and lots of other activities at Rushcliffe Country Park in Ruddington in aid of the Mouth Cancer Foundation.
Karen said: “David still has a long way to go in his treatment, but his determination to beat cancer and help others has inspired us all – he’s a true superhero.
“We now want to generate awareness of mouth cancers to encourage early detection and diagnosis, and to raise money for the Mouth Cancer Foundation, which supports those affected by mouth, throat and other head and neck cancers.