Dad had to have face rebuilt after dentist visit led to bombshell diagnosis

A Warwickshire Dad who needed life-saving surgery to rebuild his face after having a painful wisdom tooth removed is calling on people to support the fundraising campaign Stand Up to Cancer this autumn. The campaign has launched a new challenge to the public in a bid to raise funds for new research into tackling the deadly disease.

Andrew Steele from Rugby endured nearly a year of treatment for stage four head and neck cancer which involved a 12-hour operation to remove his left jawbone and replace it with bone from his leg. Despite an ongoing battle with chronic pain, the father of two is fundraising for Stand Up to Cancer – a joint fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.

Since returning to his job as imports manager for Bunzl Catering Supplies after recovering from a harrowing 12 hour operation, he’s enlisted colleagues at the Tamworth business to help raise more than £8,867 for Cancer Research UK so far. Now he’s calling on the public to flex their fundraising muscles by taking part in Stand Up To Cancer’s 100 squats a day challenge this November.

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Andrew was diagnosed with head and neck cancer in April 2021 - five months after visiting the dentists with a pain in his jaw. After having a wisdom tooth removed in January 2021, he said the pain worsened until he felt an ulcer on the inside of his cheek.

In June, he underwent major surgery to remove his left jawbone and replace it with the fibula bone from his left leg. “I woke up with a tracheostomy so I couldn’t speak and had to communicate everything with pen and paper,” said Andrew. “That was scary, but I was able to have that removed and go home after two weeks.”

In August, Andrew began chemotherapy alongside 33 sessions of radiotherapy. “It was a lot to cope with but, without that treatment, I wouldn’t be here today so I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who kept me alive.”

Urging people to get behind the charity drive Cancer Research UK said support was available online, participants can adapt the challenge to suit their fitness level by completing their squats anytime, anywhere – all at once or throughout the day. Less energetic folk can choose to donate or raise money in their own way with a free fundraising pack available online for inspiration and support.

Since its launch in the UK in 2012, Stand Up To Cancer has raised more than £113 million, funding 73 clinical trials and research projects involving more than 13,000 cancer patients.

The charity takes developments from the lab and accelerates them into new tests and treatments that could help save the lives of more people like Andrew.

This includes funding for a pioneering project being carried out at the University of Birmingham to develop a lollipop that could detect mouth cancer earlier and avoid the need for an invasive biopsy. Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Warwickshire, Paula Young, said: “Thanks to our supporters, our scientists are working tirelessly to help more people like Andrew survive.”

From developing pioneering technology using lasers and robots to improve cancer surgery, to using AI to optimise radiotherapy treatment for rectal cancer and creating lollipops that could detect mouth cancer, the charity is at the cutting edge of research. But with nearly one in every two people contracting the illness, Young stressed that need to “go further and faster”.

“All of us can help beat it. That’s why we’re asking everyone to Stand Up To Cancer with us. Whether it’s choosing to donate, fundraise, or tackle the ups and downs of our squats challenge, if thousands of us make a stand we’ll speed up the progress of vital research – meaning more people live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.”