The Swallows Charity Book, Edition 2

Chris Lewis
I was a self-employed business consultant with all
in the world looking rosy, until in 2007 when I was
diagnosed with stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma,
an incurable blood cancer. My prognosis was
poor, being given 6 months to live. Aggressive
chemotherapy was followed by a stem-cell
transplant from an unrelated donor, organised by
the Anthony Nolan charity.
For a man aged 51 this was a lot of treatment and
there were tough times. My immune system was
weak and I was constantly being brought down with
viruses and infections. My own body started to reject
the cells that were trying to save me (GVHD) and I
nearly died on several occasions as my body started
an ‘internal civil war.’
Despite such a poor prognosis and very irregular
health, the years went by. I can’t say I saw that
period as living, more just staying alive. But my
mind was full of new ideas! I knew that I was never
going to be fit enough to return to my old work, but
needed something to keep my mind active.
My own experience was showing me, how poor the
cancer support system in this country really is, and
I wanted to do something about that. So I did some
charity volunteering to find out more. The corporate
side of things was not for me, so I decided to work
on my own.
Firstly doing some guest speaker slots, then as
things got busier my friends pointed me towards
Most of us have ups and downs
in our life, but my own in recent
times, feel somewhat extreme!
In the last 10 years I have gone
from being one of the best
business people in the clothing
business, to nearly dying, and
struggling for many years to
hang onto my life. Now I am one
of the most influential cancer
patients in the world, speaking
and writing internationally about
my experiences.
creating a website and learning about social-media.
My work won some awards and I was featured on
the TV, and things took off from there.
The invitations to speak started to flow, and after
time I was speaking in Parliament and national
health conferences about cancer support issues.
All this is done whilst still being a patient. I have
done many interviews and videos and now I speak
at international conferences, where the audiences
range from patients to very senior Healthcare
Professionals.
My website is now an official resource for many
organisations across the world, and my very rare
case is seen as a beacon to other patients. In
between my practical work I have been invited to
write a book about my experiences.
After 10 years I am still alive and meeting incredible
people. I have started my own unique charity
(www.yoursimpal.com) being the only one of its
type in the world. We give phones and sim cards,
free of charge to anyone in the U.K affected by
cancer.
By looking at how my own life has altered so
dramatically, you can understand that when people
say that their cancer diagnosis was life changing,
they are not exaggerating!
If you would like to read more about my story
you can visit www.chris-cancercommunity.com
simPal is the only charity
in the world providing this
unique service. Support
provided by simPal is
completely free and nonmeans-tested.
Our aim is to
keep those living with cancer
connected during their most
challenging times.
14 24/7 Patient and Carer support line and text service: 07504 725 059 theswallows.org.uk
theswallows.org.uk 24/7 Patient and Carer support line and text service: 07504 725 059
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