I was honoured to walk 20 miles with Craig Maxwell yesterday from the Porthcawl to Barry leg of the Wales Coastal Path.

In September 2022, Craig received a Stage 4 diagnosis with a rare and inoperable lung cancer that had spread to his bones. Despite the challenges, Craig, his wife Tracey, and their children Isla (12) and Zach (8) have chosen not to let the illness dictate their time together. The devastating news of incurable cancer changed their lives, but they decided to channel their energy into fundraising.

Their focus is on supporting the cancer diagnosis pathway in Wales, speeding up diagnostics, and facilitating faster treatments for patients. As of December 2023, Craig, Tracey, and their friends have raised close to £1 million with the support of Velindre Cancer Centre. Craig has been a supporter of the QuicDNA study, aiming to expedite patient diagnoses through liquid biopsies.

Having personally experienced the impact of cancer in my own family, I understand that it can happen to anyone at any time. Together, we can unite in the fight for patients' access to the newest technology and treatments, striving for a better future for all of us.