Bristol Bears forward Joe Batley is aiming high this month following his five years all clear from having battled cancer.
Back in March 2018 at the age of 21, Joe recalls the hardest thing he had to do was tell his mum he had just been diagnosed with cancer and feared his rugby career may be over. Despite being a fit and young athlete, his immune system was under attack from Hodgkin Lymphoma - a cancer which affects over 2,000 people a year in the UK.
Now the 6ft 7’’ flanker, has much to celebrate five years on – playing once again for Bristol Bears and signing a new contract earlier this year, he now has a son - Wilfred who is 18-months old. Life is good and he is thankful to all those who helped him on his journey.
Batley, who is recovering from a knee injury after 15 appearances for the Bears this season, took time out of his rehab to help support Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life events which take place this summer and he is encouraging everyone to get involved to fund crucial research into the disease.
Talking about how he dealt with his diagnosis, he explains: “Life has changed dramatically for me, from being a 21-year-old and being diagnosed with cancer to a 26-year-old and now a father, which is the best thing ever.
“Obviously, when I was first diagnosed it was up in the air as to whether the treatment would make me infertile, so that fact that I am now a dad is unbelievable and is always something I always dreamed of, so that has been amazing.
“I am lucky that my cancer was caught early, and I had a lot of great support from the team at Bristol Bears and friends and family, so although what has happened to me is very much behind me, I know how important it is to support events such as Race for Life which goes to fund vital life-saving research.
“A lot has changed in five years, and it feels surreal, but at the same time I cannot remember too much what was going on at the time, I remember the feelings and how ill I got during the chemo, but life is good now, it’s really good.
“Having gone through fertility treatment before being treated for cancer, we were over the moon to find out that we could conceive naturally and being a dad to Wilfred is amazing.”
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life, is an inspiring series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research. This is the 30th year of Race for Life and participants will receive a special medal to mark the milestone.
The Bristol event takes place on Sunday, June 25 on the Downs, Clifton, open to everyone and participants can choose either 5k or 10k or take part in Pretty Muddy, a fun obstacle course for young and old. The Bath event is held on Sunday, July 2 at Royal Victoria Park both 5K and 10K routes.
Every year around 36,300 people are diagnosed with cancer in the South West and one in two people in the UK born after 1960 will get cancer in their lifetime. Money raised at Race for Life enables scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer - helping to save more lives.
Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in the South West, Alison Birkett, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Joe for his support. We’d love for as many people as possible across the region to join us during our 30th year of Race for Life.
"Sadly, cancer affects all of us in some way. Whether people are living with cancer, taking part in honour of or in memory of a loved one with cancer, or signing up to protect their own children’s future, everyone has a reason to Race for Life.”
To enter, visit raceforlife.org
