Dad to take on Kilimanjaro 15 years after cancer battle
IT’S 15 years since Jeff Fish battled cancer.
And now, just after turning 50, he is taking part in an incredible challenge to say thank you to those who helped him and to support family and friends who are battling the disease.
Jeff is one of a group of charity trekkers who will climb Kilimanjaro in just over a month for Tenovus Cancer Care.
It’s his way of thanking those who helped him but also paying tribute to close friends and family who have battled cancer.
Jeff, from Church Village, was 35 when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Just before, doctors had told Jeff and wife Tina that difficulties conceiving their second daughter had been due to stress, but they later said it appeared his cancer had been present but not displaying symptoms.
“I had a relatively easy journey with cancer,” he said.
But during his treatment he was warned that the surgery and radiotherapy could mean he was unable to have other children.
“In 2001, I had testicular cancer but the following year we had our third daughter,” Jeff said.
“My wife fell pregnant six months after my treatment ended.
“You get told all the sideeffects and you think that’s it, but for us, it wasn’t”.
Elin is now 14, and along with sister Niamh, 18, and Caitlin, 22, will be cheering her dad on through his challenge.
He signed up for the charity trek having seen an advert and admits he left his friends and family “stunned”.
“This was completely out of my comfort zone. I am excited but apprehensive too.
“There’s a sense of the unknown for myself and most of the group. We’re all very wellprepared and we’re all capable of climbing but the elephant in the room is the altitude.
“It’s the thing you can’t prepare for, but we’re trying not to think about it.
“Tenovus didn’t support me then but one of the nurses who cared for me at Velindre now runs the charity’s Man Van. I never really thanked him, but his support was just tremendous.
“I had my own personal brush with cancer but too many of my family and friends have too.
“I have lost too many friends and family to this disease,” he said.
Jeff, who is a school governor at Maes y Bryn Primary in Llantwit Fardre and works as a fraud investigator at Swansea Council, has already raised £7,000 for Tenovus.
To sponsor Jeff visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jefffish-kili-2017
Next year’s big Tenovus challenge is a Machu Picchu Trek. An information event is being held on Saturday, September 16.
To find out more visit www. tenovuscancercare.org.uk