After conquering Kilimanjaro, cancer survivor Freddie Cole returns to share his life-affirming experience with hospital staff
This International Day of Charity, we’re focussing on a young man from South Cave whose cancer journey took him to the top of Africa’s highest mountain. Freddie is hoping to inspire other young people diagnosed with the disease.
Twenty-seven-year-old Freddie Cole, who works as an Operations Manager at Drewtons, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Burkitts Lymphoma in late 2022. This rare form of cancer affects the bone marrow and lymph system, and is diagnosed in just 210 people in the UK each year.
Freddie had somewhat of a rollercoaster journey, which included four consecutive months spent as an inpatient of Castle Hill Hospital’s Teenage and Young Adult Unit, where he says staff quite literally saved his life.
Despite numerous rounds of aggressive chemotherapy, multiple blood and platelet transfusions and even a bout of sepsis, Freddie’s personal resolve, coupled with family support and staff expertise, saw him through and he was given the all-clear last year.
Freddie was so inspired by the work of the TYA Unit and ward 33 staff at the Queen’s Centre, that he then set out to fundraise for both WISHH, the Hull Hospitals charity, and the Teenage Cancer Trust, as a way to say thank you.
“I’m very grateful to still be alive, and for the set-up of the NHS and everyone who works in it. If I might be having a bad day or I’m struggling for motivation to do something, I think back to what I’ve been through and soon turn myself around.”
Earlier this week, Freddie returned to the Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Unit at the Queen’s Centre, Castle Hill Hospital, to share his life-affirming experience with just some of the oncology staff who made it possible. He says:
“From the day I came into the hospital and every day since, every member of staff has been so friendly and helpful. I soon got to know everyone who worked here, the cleaners, catering staff, nurses, doctors and consultants. Everyone was there for me, whether it was a friendly face to talk to and to have a bit of company, or to support me and my family through a difficult time.
“Dr Bailey kept my family and I well informed of what was to come, what to expect, he was reassuring and had my full confidence. The TYA team was amazing, always finding time to answer questions, chase up on treatments, and serve as a shoulder to cry on for the whole family or act as a sounding board to let off steam.”
"While I was in hospital, I decided that if I had a good result and a good recovery, once I was back to full strength, that I would do something to give back to the people that saved my life, and Kilimanjaro stood out as a good challenge to take on"
Having initially set a target of £10,000, Freddie says he has raised an incredible £47,000 for the two charities to date, and his restless nature doesn’t stop there.
“I’m still thinking about my next challenge; some sort of run, either a marathon or an ultra-marathon, and maybe another big mountain in two or three years’ time,” he says.
By big mountain, he means Mera Peak which is the highest trekking mountain in the world at just over 21,000ft. This would be another incredible feat for a man who now serves as an inspiration to other young people receiving a cancer diagnosis.
Pics Freddie Cole/NHS Humber Health Partnership
Follow in Freddie’s footsteps and help us make a difference today!
To donate or get involved, please contact the WISHH Charity Team:
- Email: hyp-tr.hellowishh@nhs.net
- Telephone: 01482 622299
- You can donate via BACS, or cheque
Bank Details:
Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals Health Charity (WISHH Charity):
- NatWest
- Sort Code: 56-00-06
- Account Number: 29240360
Cheques can be made payable to ‘WISHH Charity’ posted to us at: WISHH Charity, Entrance 1B, First Floor Admin Block, Castle Hill Hospital, Castle Road, Cottingham, HU16 5JQ. Let us know if you are a UK Tax payer and we can Gift Aid your donation, adding a further 25 pence to each £1 donated, by providing us with your full name, home address and postcode.