A diagnosis of Stage 4 Bowel Cancer doesn't have to be the end of your life. It can be the reason to start living
it" Steve Clarke.
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While I am deeply saddened to be receiving messages from friends and strangers telling me of their own cancer news and journeys, I am so happy to hear that this podcast is helping people. Genuinely. And that is testament to what an amazing man Steve is.
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As part of Mindset Unfiltered, Alex Legouix talks with Steve Clark about how his positive approach has helped him cope with having advanced bowel cancer and has got him through several operations and six years of chemo (so far).
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Steve is living a full and fun life as well as devoting much of his time to helping others with this disease.
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There was so much to share that it’s formed three episodes and is definitely worth a listen if you or a loved one are facing cancer, or if you’d like to hear a truly uplifting story of how a positive approach to life can make all the difference.
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In this episode, he also talks about food and exercise and his attitude of "what's the point in going through all of this, if you cant do things that make you happy?"
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What are some of the things to avoid saying to a cancer patient? We touch on that.
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And finally we touch on prognosis... how to view the "time line" and understanding statistics.
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Almost five years ago Steve and I had tea (and cake... always cake) one day and he told me about an idea he had: to set up a charity called Strive for Five to help increase awareness of bowel cancer and give hope to people with advanced bowel cancer. So obviously he did this.
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Since then he has raised over £50,000 for the charity Beating Bowel Cancer through various means: Fitness, Yoga, Music, Art, Adrenalin you name it. In 2018 he held a huge mini festival to celebrate the charity success and his 5th year anniversary Steve is an ambassador for Beating Bowel Cancer and until very recently acted as a 'Patient Voice, Forum Moderator, campaigner and fundraiser'. He offers support and advice to people who need it. He has posted over 5000 updates on the forum and he helped to write updates of patient information booklets and factsheets including introducing advice on 'How to get the most from your chemo'
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In 2017 Steve was a guest speaker at the major IMPACT initiative meeting. He spoke on how to help bridge the gaps in care. His speech was incredible and has done wonders for the listeners.
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He was also a panellist in a discussion at the European Patient Forum - again helping the industry on ways to better support patients.
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He has also presented to two major pharmaceutical companies who work in Bowel Cancer care to give them first-hand knowledge in to what it is truly like being a person with advanced Bowel Cancer and what they can do to help others.
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Not only that but Steve met The Right Honourable Theresa May MP just before she became Prime Minister to discuss the needs of Bowel Cancer patients.
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In 2016 Steve received the Beating Bowel Cancer Annual Achievement Award; the citation was "for everything you do to help others"
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In 2018 he won the major 'Healthcare Communication Advocate" award at the very prestigious 'Communique Awards' This is more of a lifetime achievement award, "presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution through healthcare communication throughout his career"
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Steve has made a REAL difference. Not only to me and all of his huge circle of other close friends but most importantly to millions of other patients and to the industry itself.
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He is a never ending inspiration and for his overwhelming effort to truly be noticed would be unbelievable.
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In all honesty... Even these awards are not enough to truly give back to someone so deserving.