A DAD who switched to fitness following his cancer diagnosis has taken on a huge challenge for a team he says is "out of this world".

Sean Jones, 36, from Bromborough, said he started feeling "unwell" in June 2022, when he was just 35.

He said: "My toilet habits changed considerably and rapidly, daily over the course of two weeks and I was losing a lot of blood 20 to 30 times a day.

"I was going through some blood and sample tests with my GP, but the symptoms got out of control later that week and I went to A&E with horrendous pain and blood loss."

The dad-of-two was told by doctors that they had located a tumour on his bowel and a month later he had surgery to remove it and for a sizable section of Bowel to be analysed.

He added: "The analysis showed that I had Stage 2 Bowel Cancer and the tumour had started to penetrate the bowel wall.

"At the time of diagnosis, my world totally collapsed, and I naturally feared the worst. I was worried I wouldn't make it to Christmas and was terrified about what this meant for Emma (Sean's wife), Harry and Sophia (Sean's two children) at home."

Sean explained that he "quickly went into 'battle-mode' rather than feeling sorry" for himself and ditched alcohol, fast food and fizzy drinks, to begin runing, hiking, hold, badminton and tennis, to give him the best possible chance of a successful surgery and recovery.

The challenge

Recently, Sean has taken on his own personal triathlon with his friends, by running the Liverpool Half Marathon, hiking up Snowdon and completing a 29-mile Wirral Coastal Walk all to raise money for Maggie’s Wirral.

Wirral Globe: Sean taking on his triathlon for Maggie'sSean taking on his triathlon for Maggie's (Image: Sean Jones)

"Maggie's were there from day one for me", Sean explained.

"I initially met with Debbie, one of the workers there, when the news was still very raw.

"Her understanding and kindness towards Emma and I shone through, and I knew I had major support straight away. Emma and my parents were understandably shocked by the diagnosis and found comfort and strength from the visits to Maggie's and chats about the situation. 

"This is so important because it is easy to forget that it's not just the patient feeling the pain and emotion. 

"Once I was back on my feet post-op, I found the monthly Bowel Cancer Support Group sessions vital for my continued focus and recovery. I seem to benefit from sharing experiences and hearing from others in similar situations. 

"I went from being desperate for advice in September 2022 to trying to help newly diagnosed patients in recent meetings. I'm by no means out of the woods but I aim to give hope and positivity to others. I have met wonderful people in those meetings."

Maggie's thank Sean...

Kathy Wright, Centre Head at Maggie’s said: "We are extremely thankful to Sean for his fundraising achievements, he has raised almost £3,000, which will make a huge difference to our centre visitors.

"We cannot thank him enough, for taking on such a tough physical challenge during difficult times for him and his family. We are pleased to hear that Sean and his family have found comfort at Maggie’s.

"If you or anyone you know is struggling with the impact of cancer, please do just drop in. We’re here to support anyone affected by cancer, along with friends and family. We provide free practical, emotional and psychological support through an evidence-based programme of support."

If you would like to donate to Sean, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/sean-jones-1680454220497