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Student cycles 300 miles to fight cancer

18 September 2019

23-year-old medical student Faheez Shafeek recently completed a 300-mile ride from London to Paris in aid of Cure Leukaemia. He has raised over £15,000 in support of his father, Dr Shafeek, who was diagnosed with myeloma, a form of blood cancer earlier this year.

Pictured: Faheez Shafeek

Faheez seemed destined for a career in medicine with both his father and grandfather spending most of their lives treating blood cancer patients.

Dr Shafeek is the Clinical Director of Haematology & Oncology at Worcestershire Royal Hospital where his patients and colleagues have also already rallied around him and also raised £12,000 from a recent walk in the Malvern Hills.

“I never expected that this disease would directly affect my father and his diagnosis came as a great shock to the family. When I heard it felt like my life was turned upside down.– Faheez Shafeek

One of Dr Shafeek's patients, and now friends, ex-Premier League star and cancer survivor, Geoff Thomas rode alongside Faheez.

“I might not be here today if it was not for Dr Shafeek who quickly recognised the severity of my illness. He has helped so many patients over the years and I am sure every single one of them would want to wish him all the very best in his treatment and hopefully a full and swift recovery.”– Geoff Thomas

Pictured: (left to right) Geoff Thomas, Dr Salim Shafeek and Faheez Shafeek

Dr Shafeek is now in complete remission after a stem cell transplant and will be returning to work this month.

“I am very proud that my son took part in this fantastic event alongside my good friend Geoff Thomas and many others committed to raising funds to combat this disease. I know that all funds raised will go towards ensuring more and more patients continue to be connected with treatments for blood cancer that are currently not available to them.– Dr Salim Shafeek

Read more about the cause and make a donation to Faheez here.

Watch a video by BBC Midlands on this story here.