“Given two choices — palliative care or major surgery — 71-year-old Michael chose to fight. Just a month after surviving a life-saving laryngectomy, he’s walking 5K with his daughter and 8-year-old granddaughter to raise money for others battling throat cancer.”
In late 2024, Michael and his family were hit with devastating news: the return of throat cancer, more aggressive than before. It was a brutal blow after he had previously beaten both bladder cancer and throat cancer once already. After ringing the bell to celebrate remission, they thought the worst was behind them. Sadly, it wasn’t.
When the cancer returned, Michael became seriously unwell and was admitted to hospital. Doctors gave him two stark options: palliative care or a major, life-saving surgery — a laryngectomy and tracheostomy. At the time, he was in no fit state to undergo such an operation, but he fought back. And, with courage few could match, he chose surgery.
After a few weeks of stabilisation, the laryngectomy went ahead. Michael then endured a gruelling stretch in intensive care, spending four months fighting setback after setback, including sepsis, pneumonia and other dangerous infections. His family spent countless nights at his bedside, mentally preparing for the worst time and time again.
But Michael refused to give in.
Against all odds, he pulled through and, at the age of 71, finally returned home to begin adjusting to life with a stoma. It’s been a slow and difficult road, but just one month after coming home, Michael decided he wasn’t done fighting — not by a long shot.
He signed up to take part in a 5K ‘Move Against Cancer’ walk, determined to turn his fight into something positive. Alongside him are his daughter Jodie and granddaughter Olivia, just 8 years old — a true family effort to support not just Michael, but others living with or recovering from throat cancer.
“I think he’s absolutely bonkers for even contemplating it so soon,” Jodie said. “But his determination is incredible, and come rain or shine, blood, sweat and no doubt tears, we’ll be walking that 5K with him to raise funds for a fantastic charity.”
Michael’s story — a story of resilience, family, and the will to survive against seemingly impossible odds.
Every penny raised through their efforts will go towards supporting others facing similar battles. If you’re able to contribute, no matter how small, your support will make a real difference.
