Bob Perry, 70, was diagnosed with Waldenström macroglobulinemia, a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, a decade ago and was given only 10 years to live.
Thanks to the dedicated support and treatment he is soon to eclipse the 10 year mark next month and feels fitter than ever before.
To give back to the community, he is cycling up Mont Ventoux three times on Thursday, August 21, totalling 137 kilometres (85 miles) and a combined climb of 4,400 meters (2.7 miles).
(Image: Bob Perry) He said: “It’s to give people hope.
“Hope for the future that you can carry on living with a chronic or terminal illness.
“I will die with this illness, not of it.”
Bob will be joined by Mark Wratten, from Trek Poole, who will also be fundraising for the hospital as he has personally experienced the “compassionate” care of University Hospitals Dorset.
Together, they are hoping to raise £10,000 for UHD NHS Charity, using half of the funds to enhance the “quiet room” in the Jigsaw Building, and the other half to support the cardiology services.
Bob praised the hospital for helping him to live a healthy and successful life for the past decade.
“It got me my life back, so life is good,” he said.
“10 years ago, I was a 60-year-old man feeling like I was a 90-year-old man.
“Today I’m a 70-year-old man, feeling like I’m a 50-year-old man and that is down to the haematology department at both Dorchester and Bournemouth hospital.”
The route Bob is taking is known as “Les Cinglés”, translating to “The Crazies” in English and is one of the more famous climbs in cycling history.
In preparation for his challenge, he has been spending time in France, cycling the surrounding hills as he said he cannot “replicate” the climb from Dorset.
“It’s a crazy challenge but I’m looking forward to it.
“I set myself a challenge and the training is going well.”
You can donate to Bob’s fundraiser here.