Chiswick Teenager Beats Illness To Carry Torch

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Joe Smale chosen to carry Olympic flame for his cancer fundraising

Local teenager Joe Smale represented Chiswick on the Olympic Torch route (Tuesday, July 24) after being chosen as one of the official torchbearers for London 2012.

The 14-year old was chosen out of 28,000 nominees for his work to raise money to raise money for cancer charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

He has been diagnosed with leukaemia three times since he was just two years old and has undergone intensive treatment. But Joe, who was nominated by his mother Debbie, is determined to raise awareness about blood cancers and raise money for research and new treatments.

He carried the torch through Chessington on Tuesday, just three days before the Opening ceremony and met with former Olympic rower James Cracknell.

He is also hoping to be fit enough to take part with his family at this year's London Bikeathon on Sunday, September 16th. Before the start of last year's Bikeathon he spoke to over 2,000 people about his cancer experience.

Joe said; “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to carry the Olympic flame through London just days before the Games start. I want to raise as much as I can to beat blood cancers forever. I dedicate my efforts to those kids who didn’t make it.”

On Saturday (28 July), members of the public can have their photo taken with the Olympic Torch at Sainsbury’s in Chiswick from 10am. The event has been organised by Joe’s parents, Tim and Debbie, with the support of Snappy Snaps who will donate their resources for free.

Photos with the Torch are available for a minimum suggested donation of £5 and all proceeds from the event will go to help Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research fund life-saving projects to help beat blood cancer. To support Joe Smale in his fundraising, donate to his JustGiving page atwww.justgiving.com/joes-torch.  

Leukaemia & Lymphona Research is the only UK charity solely dedicated to research into blood cancers, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. These cancers are diagnosed in more than 30,000 children, teenagers and adults in the UK every year.

July 27, 2012