A biker from Southampton is planning to experience over 1000 miles on his bike in 24 hours to fund analysis into his spouse’s uncommon type of mind most cancers.
Barry Johnson, proprietor of BJ’s Tattoo Studio on Bridge Street in Woolston determined to organise the charity experience after feeling “helpless” following his spouse Lucy’s devastating most cancers analysis in July 2019.
Barry, 49, stated: “I assumed, let’s do one thing that may assist different folks.”
The 1100-mile experience from Southampton to Scotland’s Ben Nevis and again is at the moment deliberate for the eighth Could 2021.
Lucy Johnson, 39, was recognized with grade 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive type of most cancers that may happen within the mind or spinal twine.
The analysis adopted years of complications and dizzy spells.
Unbelievably, 9 years in the past Barry’s sister Sarah Yorke additionally suffered with the identical uncommon situation, which sees solely 2,200 instances recognized in England every year.
“You couldn’t write it in a rustic music,” stated Barry.
In accordance with The Mind Tumour Charity solely 3.3% of glioblastoma sufferers survive past two years post-diagnosis.
“My sister was solely given 14 months by the docs and unbelievably she’s had no recurrences and has managed to outlive this lengthy,” he stated.
Barry is at the moment juggling working the tattoo studio, which has been in enterprise for 21 years, while caring full-time for his spouse throughout lockdown.
He stated: “I’ve fortunately obtained a staff that’s holding the store afloat and I’m attempting to work little or no as a result of Lucy can’t actually be left alone anymore.”
Lucy has lately completed a course of radiotherapy and is ready for a date to re-start chemotherapy remedy.
The couple have been profiting from “high quality time” collectively throughout lockdown with their 16-year-old daughter Tiana (nicknamed Tink).
A Fb fundraising page for the occasion has raised over £2000 in eight days.
Barry’s driving buddies Danny Greenyer and Drew Richardson will be part of him on the highway.
“We need to attempt to get the council concerned to permit us to have the ability to depart from the Bargate and hopefully return to a little bit of assist,” stated Barry.
In accordance with the Nationwide Most cancers Analysis Institute solely 2% of UK most cancers analysis funding goes in the direction of mind most cancers.
Donations will go in the direction of elevating consciousness and funding analysis into glioblastoma.
