Crompton's Cancer Crushing - Year 3
Held by Alex Crompton
Tour de Cure presented by Wheaton Precious Metals
27 supporters
Year 3!
This summer, I will be participating in the Tour de Cure benefiting the BC Cancer Foundation for the third straight year. The Tour de Cure is a 2-day cycling event totalling 200km of riding from Surrey to Hope. After raising nearly $15,000 in the last 2 years personally, for the 2024 ride I have joined MNP's fundraising team.
Giving back to BC Cancer is very important to me given my history with receiving treatment. If you have the time, read my story below to learn why I ride, and please consider donating or sharing my story with your networks. Thank you!
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In the summer of 2021, I went to the doctor to address some discomfort and bloating I was experiencing. A blood test sent me to the hospital for imaging, and on June 7th I was told by the ER staff at VGH that I had lymphoma. That night, I was told I had a 60% chance of living another 3 to 5 years.
I was quickly fast-tracked to BC Cancer given how quickly my health was deteriorating, and I began chemotherapy 2 weeks after that hospital visit. The team at BC Cancer was able to perform a multitude of tests and determined that I was afflicted by 2 types of lymphoma; follicular lymphoma, which had then also transformed into Diffuse Large B-Cell lymphoma. The cancer had also spread to the point where it was considered Stage IV lymphoma.
The entire team at BC Cancer, from my oncologist Dr. Gerrie to the nursing staff to the housekeeping staff were all so positive. The 3-5 year prognosis given to me by the ER doctors at VGH was quickly rebuked by the oncology team. With aggressive chemotherapy, their goal was to eliminate the DLBCL and get the follicular lymphoma to a place where we could simply monitor it regularly and address any future transformations into other lymphomas.
The first round of chemotherapy was the most jarring. I lost 40 pounds in 2 weeks as my body worked to rid itself of lymphatic fluid buildup. After 7 months of extremely tolling chemotherapy, several allergic reactions, and 8 visits to the ER, I finally rang the bell at BC Cancer in November of 2021. Regular checkups are all positive, and as of February 2024 I am able to say that I am fully in remission.
The reality is the team at BC Cancer saved my life. I was able to go back to work full time in January of 2022, and am able to live my life as if I were never a patient at BC Cancer.
My story is one of optimism and success, but without funding for new and experimental treatment options, equipment, and other expenses, it would not have been possible. My hope is that continued fundraising for BC Cancer will create more success stories for people in BC living with or dealing with the effects of cancer.
Funds raised through the Tour de Cure will support life-saving research and enhancements to care at BC Cancer, bringing hope to cancer patients in British Columbia and making an impact around the world.
Thank you so much for your support!
