In 2022, Nathaniel was diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Before his diagnosis, he experienced changes in his body that concerned him.
“A year before I was diagnosed, I knew something was up because I was getting slower when running, by around a minute per mile. I am a keen ultrarunner and was doing all the right things. I had a coach, was doing all the strength work and eating incredibly well. I wasn’t old enough to be getting naturally slower.
“I also noticed changes in my bowels as I was going to the toilet more often. I didn’t think much of it, but it was getting extreme. I was getting huge pains, constipated and trapped wind.
“My doctor ended up sending me for the required diagnostics (bloods and fit tests). However, it wasn’t as straightforward to persuade the GP to take it as seriously as cancer. I remember the doctor said: ‘You are too young for bowel cancer.’”
Following tests, Nathaniel was told he had stage 4 bowel cancer.
“It was 15 weeks from GP contact to chemotherapy, but I didn’t need to travel far for treatment. The dedicated teams of nurses and the oncologist were amazing.
“The first leaflet I was presented with after being diagnosed was a Macmillan one. The information was great. It even included a fact sheet with side effects of my particular chemotherapy combination.”
"I am proudly fundraising for Macmillan because they have already given me so much support..."
Fundraising for Macmillan
Following his diagnosis, Nathaniel decided to make a ‘bucket list’ of challenges to help raise awareness of bowel cancer symptoms and to support Macmillan.
One item on his list that Nathaniel ticked off was walking (and sometimes running) from John O’Groats to Lands End.
He undertook the challenge in all weathers, despite undergoing treatment right up to the start date and needing to use colostomy bags.
It took Nathaniel 60 days to complete the challenge. He walked an average of 20 miles a day and a total distance of 1,200 miles.
Nathaniel says: “I am proudly fundraising for Macmillan because they have already given me so much support in the form of medical information, counselling and a free will. Macmillan are well and truly there for people with cancer and those around them.”
To commemorate this achievement, Nathaniel was invited to Downing Street to meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Health Secretary Wes Streeting and other Cabinet Ministers.
London marathon: bringing his love for music and running together
In 2024, Nathaniel ran the London marathon while playing the trombone as one of his ‘bucket list’ challenges and in support of Macmillan.
Nathaniel says: "I’m a music teacher and have played the trombone since I was eight. On the day of the marathon when I arrived at The Mall, I was feeling a mix of emotions. A thought also crossed my mind - what was I going to play when I crossed the finish line. I spent 26 miles taking requests and jamming with bands lining the course, so I improved a fanfare.
He received the Spirit of London Marathon Award in 2024 from the organisers of the London Marathon.
So far, he has raised over £42,000 for Macmillan!
"I'd consider it a life well lived if one person saved their life."
Raising awareness of bowel cancer
Alongside fundraising for Macmillan, Nathaniel has been involved in advocating for better awareness of bowel cancer symptoms in younger people and the need to reduce the waiting times for diagnosis and treatment.
Currently in the UK, the national bowel cancer screening programme offers testing to everyone between the ages of 60-74. Every year more than 2,600 younger people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK (Bowel Cancer UK).
He was part of our What Are We Waiting for Campaign? and spoke about his experiencing of having to wait 100 days before receiving his cancer treatment.
Watch the video below to hear more about his experience.
Receiving an MBE in recognition of his advocacy work
Due to his efforts, Nathaniel appeared in the New Years Honours List this year and received an MBE for his work in raising awareness of cancer and commitment to community service.
Nathaniel says: "I was delighted to accept the MBE as here is one more chance to make my family proud. I also hope this honour will help towards what has become my main aim in life: to raise awareness in the hope that people can catch cancer earlier and not end up like me in the first place."
When asked why he thinks it is important to raise awareness, Nathaniel says: “Men generally don’t want to acknowledge any symptoms. I’m guilty of that. Especially with something like this, which can be harder to talk about.
“My thought process is if I can help just one person get checked out, I'd consider it a life well lived if one person saved their life.”
