A YOUNG Blacon dad who missed the birth of his baby son while he was having intensive chemotherapy to treat his cancer will undertake a gruelling challenge to say thank you to the team that treated him.
A year after beginning treatment for testicular cancer, Ben Burgess will be joined by a team of friends on the Three Peaks Challenge - scaling the peaks of Snowdon, Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike - in aid of Clatterbridge Cancer Charity.
Ben Burgess, 28, of Blacon, was diagnosed a year ago. He had surgery to remove the testicle, but unfortunately, the cancer had spread and he needed to undergo nine weeks of chemotherapy.
Ben, who has two young sons, four-year-old Will and Freddie, 10 months, spent almost a month in hospital instead of the intended nine days due to a reaction to the chemotherapy. Due to being hospitalised, Ben missed the birth of Freddie in July.
Ben said: "Last year was a hard year for me and all my family as I found out that I had testicular cancer and that it had spread to my stomach and my lung. Now I'm getting back to my full health, I want to give back to Clatterbridge as they helped me through every step of my chemo."
At present, Ben is undergoing regular blood tests and remains under the care of the consultant.
Hotel worker Ben was treated at Clatterbridge and wants to give something back to say thank you for the excellent care he received.
Ben added: "In April last year I found out I had testicular cancer and then had my first operation at Chester hospital. Two weeks later it had spread to my stomach and lung. To cut a long story short, I was only supposed to go through a nine week cause of chemo and spend a total of nine nights in hospital at Clatterbridge. Unfortunately, the chemo didn't agree with me and I spent a total of 28 nights in hospital and now go back for tests every couple of months to see the progress as I'm still in recovery.
"Now I want to give back for all the wonderful things they did for me and others too. If you would like to join me in making a difference, I'm raising money for The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity and any donation will help make an impact. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me."
In June he and a small team are undertaking the Three Peaks Challenge.
The team hope to raise as much sponsorship as possible, the amount raised is already more than £4,000, and are also in need of the use of a minibus.
To sponsor Ben visit
https://www.gofundme.com/257nn-3-peaks-challange?member=1652514
Ben has also just completed a climb on Snowden, with his employers BHG hotel group, in aid of Macmillan Nurses.
Ben hopes his story will not only help raise vital funds but also raise awareness of the importance of checking in men.
From ten operating sites across Merseyside and Cheshire, The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity make almost 221,000 patient contacts to more than 30,000 patients a year, offering pioneering chemotherapy, radiotherapy and proton therapy treatments.
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