A former cancer patient from Wirral whose future once looked 'both brief and bleak' is setting off on fundraising trek along the Portuguese coast this weekend to thank the hospital that saved his life.
John McCormick is celebrating life and giving back to the institution that played a pivotal role in his recovery by embarking on inspirational walking journeys to raise funds for The Christie Charity.
Diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma just before his 50th birthday, John - who now lives in New Brighton - faced an uncertain future.
However, his journey took a surprising turn when he experienced spontaneous remission shortly after his diagnosis. He was then placed on an active monitoring program, visiting hospital for checks every six months.
This respite lasted for 15 years until late 2017 when his lymphoma resurfaced in a more aggressive form.
John, now 72 and originally from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, said: "My future looked both brief and bleak.
"It was at this low point of my life that The Christie appeared on my horizon, and I was fortunate to be accepted on a new early phase combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy drug trial.
“By this stage I was very poorly, but right from the outset, the care delivered by The Christie filled me with hope, and incredibly within six weeks of starting the trial treatment I experienced a good partial remission.
"Even more incredibly, within 12 weeks my cancer was in retreat!”
John’s immunotherapy trial treatment ran for two years until 2022 and he experienced only minor side effects. Since the trial began, John has steadily gained health, strength and confidence and he continues to do so.
Last year he walked The Camino Finisterre on Spain’s Atlantic Coast and today (Saturday, May 26) is beginning a 200km walk of The Camino Portugués from Porto aiming to arrive in Santiago on Monday, June 3.
John said: "I'm hopeful that the monies that I manage to raise will help further The Christie’s world class research programmes and give more cancer patients like me, the opportunity to join a trial treatment suited to their needs.
“Last year, my wife Jacintha and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary with our two sons, Liam and Duncan plus our grandchildren and friends, and in March this year I celebrated my 72nd birthday.
"These events were only remote possibilities three years ago before my introduction to The Christie.
"There is no doubt that the exceptional care delivered by the staff there, gave me my life back and I shall be forever grateful."
Lindsey Farthing, mass participation events development manager at The Christie Charity said: "John’s remarkable journey of resilience and recovery serves as an inspiration to cancer patients, and we wish him all the very best on his fundraising trek."
To support John's charity walk, click on this link: https://www.justgiving.com/page/john-mcccamino3?newPage=true .
The Christie Charity supports the work of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust providing enhanced services over and above what the NHS is able to fund.
This includes money for care and treatment, research, education, and extra patient services. Gifts from the public make a huge difference to the care and treatment that The Christie is able to provide to patients and their families.
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