A firefighter is rallying his colleagues and friends to embark on a challenging cycling journey from Bath to Paris in support of his wife who was diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer.
Jess and Matt Parsons with their children and the fundraising team | Photo © Paul Gillis
Matt Parsons, along with his teammates from Blue Watch based at Bath’s fire station, will be raising funds for Cancer Research UK by swapping their fire hoses for cycle pumps and pedalling their way to Paris.
The team of firefighters will set off from Bath fire station in September on their fundraising mission to contribute to the fight against cancer.
In the meantime, on 13th May, fire crews from across the region will gather at Bath’s SouthGate shopping centre to cycle 1,000 miles on stationary bikes in just 12 hours.
The event aims to raise both awareness and funds for Cancer Research UK, while also providing support for Matt’s wife Jess, who received her diagnosis in June 2022 when her youngest daughter, Inès, was only six months old.
Jess was on maternity leave at the time from her job in human resources. She explained: “I found the lump when breastfeeding my daughter. I had also breastfed my son Stanley, so I knew something wasn’t quite right, but I had never imagined that it would be cancer.
“It was at such a happy and idyllic time in my life that the thought of having cancer hadn’t crossed my mind.
“The day of my diagnosis, we decided to bring Inès to the hospital with us and I vividly remember my husband holding her – right next to me – when those heart-shattering words were uttered.
Matt Parsons and fellow firefighters in Bath | Photo © Paul Gillis
“It was a very emotional time. As soon as you hear those words you think you’re going to die. I never thought of myself as invincible or immune to getting cancer, but I still to this day get a moment when I think “this can’t be real. It must be a bad dream – this isn’t how my life is supposed to turn out”, then it hits me that this is my life now.”
Initially, despite being diagnosed with Squamous Metaplastic Breast Cancer, which accounts for less than 2 per cent of worldwide cases, consultants were optimistic as the tumour was small and seemed contained. However, things quickly escalated.
The cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and Jess was eventually rushed into surgery to remove a 7.5cm tumour which had progressed rapidly. The tumour had started tearing through her skin in two places and had attached to the muscle.
Jess added: “I’ve had six rounds of chemotherapy, a mastectomy with LD flap skin and muscle graft, fifteen radiotherapy sessions and I’m now benefitting from targeted therapy – a treatment which combines immunotherapy and chemo all in one and which has come about thanks to research developments in recent years.
“I feel very lucky to have access to this drug. I had never appreciated quite how quickly the research against cancer is evolving until now.”
Having taken time off work to get through her treatment, Jess said: “It’s been a tough ride but now I’m reasonably well, I decided to return to work with some adjustments.
“My work has been really flexible and thoughtful and so far I’m loving being back. It’s tiring some days but I’m happy to be back.”
In addition to their long-distance cycling challenge, Matt and the Blue Watch crew have been asked to lead the participants at Bath’s Race for Life event, which will take place at Royal Victoria Park on 2nd July.
The firefighters will kick off the event, guiding men, women, and children through the course as they raise money to support the life-saving work of Cancer Research UK.
Jess, together with her son Stanley, aged 7, will be taking part in the 5K route, joining thousands of others in their efforts to raise funds for this important cause.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Race for Life, and participants will receive a special commemorative medal to celebrate the milestone.
