If you would like this piece read to you, just click aboveThe Privilege and Challenges of Older Age I have the privilege not afforded to all, older age! In my younger years, I quickly bought the dream of retiring at 65, earlier if possible. Having very little to think about, other than what to have for dinner. What happened on the route, I still keep asking myself? Here I am now, making more big decisions than I ever did when I was running my own multi-million pound business. Not just for myself, but ageing friends. Something I’m sure none of us really took into account, when thinking about ou ..read more

If you would like this piece read to you, just click aboveFinding Purpose After Cancer: My New Mission Since my life changed in 2007. I realised that my new mission was to try and improve the lives of those affected by cancer. My first job was to try and recover physically and mentally from my own death defying encounter. Once I was in a decent place myself, I could move forward. Whether personally, or through my work, I have been dealing with people affected by cancer, for nearly seventeen years. Incredibly demanding work, as every situation is different, and many feel very close to home with ..read more

If you would like this piece read to you, just click above As many of you know, I’m not one to sit on the fence, and I have very strong personal views, about the role that big pharma is playing in our current society. But I’m sure many won’t agree with me. Below, I have laid out a more balanced view, for you to make up your own mind. Then finish, with my own personal opinions and conclusions. Summary: The pharmaceutical industry has brought life-saving drugs but also raises concerns around pricing, marketing and ethics. This article weighs the pros and cons, including the role of big pharma du ..read more

If you would like this piece read to you, just click above Before my cancer diagnosis in 2007, I was blissfully unaware of the inner workings of charities. Like many, I donated with the assumption that my contributions would be utilized effectively, feeling a sense of having made a difference. However, throughout all my treatment, I found a harsh reality – the charity sector often fell short in providing meaningful support. For the last 15 years, both my cancer and SimPal work, have been intertwined with the charity sector. Yes, I run my own charity, but I’m generally embarrassed about what I ..read more

If you would like this piece read to you, just click above Like everything else, healthcare is so intertwined in politics, which in my opinion is the main reason things are going backwards rapidly! Being a danger to everyone, not just in this country but around the globe. Most major countries are struggling now to provide the level of service they were even 5 years ago. In this piece I discuss some of the big issues and obstacles to necessary progress. Chaos in politics, breeds discord, leaving us divided. Outdated systems fail, to address modern challenges. Healthcare woes, overshadowed by ce ..read more

If you would like this piece read to you, just click above There is nothing more selfish in this world than cancer. It stops at nothing, to fulfill it’s terrible devastation, respecting nothing or anybody, in it’s path. Selfishness has never been in my nature. But I felt I had to cut off ALL outside noise, and focus purely on myself, once I was diagnosed. That was one of the most difficult things that cancer forced on me. Many people outside this experience, might struggle to understand what that feels like! Coming Face-to-Face with Mortality When the doctor uttered those fateful words – “You ..read more

If you would like this piece read to you, just click above So recently a report was published by Breast Cancer Now, quoting this as the cost of breast cancer in this country. “Our report, published in partnership with Demos, reveals that this year breast cancer is estimated to cost the UK economy as much as £2.6-£2.8 billion in 2024. This annual cost could rise by almost 40% to £3.6 billion by 2034.It also predicts a staggering £17.5 billion in wellbeing costs for people with breast cancer and their loved ones to support their reduced quality of life.” I have always believed, that Governm ..read more

If you would like this piece read to you, just click above This is my first post of 2024. I have now had a few weeks off the ‘front line,’ and time to think. My anger grew throughout 2023, as the subject of cancer became less important, across UK society and the globe. As the deaths keep coming, my resolve is even stronger to disrupt the cosy leadership and organisations, responsible for the lethargy in this sector. There will be no rest as far as I am concerned. We all deserve better, but sitting in acceptance mode as most are, will not help us. In this piece I look at some opinions and obser ..read more

If you would like this piece read to you, just click above Christmas has always been an emotional time for me, to reflect on the year. But since 2007, it holds special meaning as the anniversary of my life-saving stem cell transplant. At age 51, I was battling stage 4 lymphoma. My only hope was a transplant, which took place on December 19th – donated by a selfless 22-year-old stranger. I spent that Christmas in an isolation unit, away from family and festivities, as my immune system was destroyed then rebuilt. The incredible medical staff became my holiday companions. Though facing their own ..read more

If you would like this piece read to you, just click above Once covid had really started, and we received our daily dose of Boris Johnson and his clowns, pretending to know what to do, I think we all realised we were in trouble! These people have proved before, and since, how absolutely inept they are at ANYTHING, other than lining their own pockets. My real anger, has always been the medical and scientific experts. Any idiot could see, that if you left almost every other medical condition alone, to totally focus on covid, we would be heading into even bigger trouble. Hence we now have record ..read more