A team of cyclists will embark on their very own Tour de Devon this week to raise money for FORCE Cancer Charity.
John Heathershaw from Exeter (pictured second left above) set himself the challenge of a coast-to-coast ride to celebrate five years of being cancer clear.
The father-of-two was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma in September 2015 at the age of 39.
FORCE helped him through months of treatment and subsequent complications in his mental and physical health.
“I hadn’t ever really conceived of getting cancer,” John admits.
FORCE Cancer Charity and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital’s Radiotherapy Department have celebrated a milestone in the treatment of prostate cancer.
The hospital has treated its 1,000th patient with high dose-rate brachytherapy, using equipment bought by FORCE.
Bill Collings received his therapy at the RD&E’s Wonford unit.
The treatment is also known as HDR brachytherapy or temporary brachytherapy.
It is a type of internal radiotherapy that involves inserting thin tubes into the prostate gland.
A breast cancer survivor from Exeter set out this week to ride her motorbike around Great Britain for a local charity.
Mum-of-two Kate West will ride her 600cc Honda up to 4,000 miles over four weeks in aid of FORCE Cancer Charity.
“FORCE have been part of my life for many years now, helping me and some very close friends and family cope with cancer diagnoses, both of their own and loved ones, both treatable and terminal,” said Kate.
“They continue to provide help and support for many people in so many ways - I really don't know what we would do without them,” she...
Ben Howels is hoping to raise £1,500 for Exeter-based cancer support charity FORCE by running 500 kilometres in March.
That’s just over 16 kilometres a day, every day, for 31 days.
“I usually manage about 16 kilometres a week, so it’s a 7x step up for me – but they’re steps I’m going to climb. Metaphorically, anyway,” said Ben.
The 44-year-old solicitor and author of sci-fi fantasy thrillers has made a terrific start to his mad March hare around the streets and pathways of Exeter.
After just eight days he had gone through the 150 kilometre barrier and...
Devon digital advertising agency, Launch Online, has raised £1000 for the FORCE Cancer Charity Autumn Bike Ride initiative after the team cycled over 245 miles from underneath their desks during November.
With the help of a fleet of mini pedal exercisers, which fit underneath the desk, the team generated over 389,466 revolutions on their desk bikes over the four weeks of lockdown while they worked.
Senior account manager Elliot Smith was the overall winner of the challenge, nicknamed the Tour de Office, achieving an amazing 101,463 revolutions over the month-long...
The FORCE Cancer Charity shop in Heavitree has reopened for the first time in nearly three months.
The shop in Fore Street closed on March 23 due to the Coronavirus pandemic but the team has been working hard to get the building safe for staff and visitors.
And it paid off with a steady stream of customers throughout the first day.
"Amazing day!" said Shop Manager Anna Heard.
"Great to see a lot of our regulars and welcome them back. It has highlighted the need for some more signage in terms of directions etc.. so thank you to everyone today for helping us...
FORCE Cancer Charity is funding an exciting new research project at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.
Its trustees have agreed a grant of up to £25,000 for an 18-month study into monitoring blood for signs of ovarian and bowel cancer during pregnancy.
The number of women over 40 having babies is increasing and although cancers in pregnancy are extremely rare, the risk of ovarian and bowel cancers increases with age.
Ultrasound scanning is a well-established part of early pregnancy care and has led to a rise in the number of ovarian masses identified.
Dr Nigel Acheson is the new Patron of Exeter-based FORCE Cancer Charity.
He becomes only its fourth patron after former diplomat Sir Anthony Parsons, FORCE co-founder Chris Rowland and Martin Cooper, the former Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust Medical Director who died last year.
“It is an enormous privilege to become Patron of FORCE,” said Dr Acheson, who will also continue as a trustee of the charity which supports anyone locally affected by cancer.
“I know from my time as a cancer specialist how FORCE provides support to patients and their families, as...
Wendy Limpus of the Nomads Mixed Bowling Association presents a cheque for £1,500 to FORCE Cancer Charity’s community fundraiser Naomi Cole on the green at Exonia Bowling Club in Exeter.
Wendy, from Sidmouth, is this year’s president of the Nomads and chose to support FORCE for very personal reasons.
She explained: “I have had a couple of scares which thankfully proved to be false. However, I have lost two sisters to breast cancer and a brother to another form of cancer. My husband’s brother also died from pancreatic cancer.
