This Father’s Day, we wanted to share the touching and inspiring story of Joanna Miskelly and her dad, John Stevenson. Joanna will be taking part in her second Oesophacycle for OG in September and today, she shares the inspiration in her taking part:
“My Dad, John, was diagnosed with Oesophageal cancer in August 2019. Cycling is a hobby of mine and I had taken part in the last Oesophacycle, which was held in June 2019, in support of my best friend Karen (who had lost her Dad to cancer in October 2018). However, at this stage, Dad had not been diagnosed. That news was just around the corner. My lovely Mum, Phil, who sadly passed away from cancer herself in December 2022, had encouraged Dad to go and get checked out after he started having trouble swallowing his food.
“Thankfully Dad did so and with prompt action from his GP and being ‘red-flagged’, he was diagnosed and then faced the journey of treatment and recovery himself, all while looking after Mum and during the height of the Covid pandemic. Following chemotherapy, radiotherapy and two procedures, Dad was told that there were no further signs of cancer.
“He began volunteering for the OG Cancer NI charity in 2023 at the Information Desk in Belfast City Hospital, as a means of supporting others who are facing their own cancer journey. Dad finds this very rewarding and he enjoys the camaraderie with his fellow OG volunteers. I am looking forward to the sportive on Sunday 14th September with a view to supporting this wonderful charity, not only in terms of raising much needed funds, but also to highlight their important message of ‘catch it early’ as without doing so, Dad wouldn’t be here today.”
Full details of our Oesophacycle will be released very soon. Keep an eye on our website and social media pages.
