BBC Morning Live presenter Gethin Jones has opened up about his friendship with Craig Maxwell, who is battling terminal stage four bone and lung cancer, as he prepares to host a charity gala aimed at raising £2 million for cancer diagnosis improvements.
Jones, who joined Maxwell on a 780-mile charity walk two years ago, will host the Destination £2 Million gala at the Celtic Manor on October 29. The event, supported by Sinclair Group, Wales' biggest motor retailer, will feature appearances from Warren Gatland, Scott Quinnell and George North.
Maxwell's Four-Year Fundraising Fight
Maxwell, the Welsh Rugby Union's former commercial director, has spent the last four years raising money for Velindre Cancer Care after being diagnosed with terminal and inoperable bone and lung cancer at age 40. Last year, he told WalesOnline that his request for a potentially life-extending drug had been turned down.
"When I was diagnosed in 2022, I had three tumours," Maxwell said. "I've now got 11 tumours. What we do every time new tumours arrive, we change my drugs to stop them growing any further. I'm effectively in a race against time."
"I'm on treatment to slow down the spread and give me as long as I can with my family," he added. "None of the treatments are trying to cure me, it's just trying to give me more time."
Emotional Reflections and Legacy
Jones became emotional when discussing the impact Maxwell's fundraising could have on others. "I don't like that word, legacy, because it sounds final, you know?" Jones said. "But if that is to be something that he leaves behind for his family, it's pretty amazing in my book."
So far, Maxwell has raised an estimated £1.7m, and the hope is that the gala will help break the £2m mark. The main goal is to improve the process of diagnosing cancer patients, thus improving their chance of survival.
"Listening to Craig talk about his cancer treatment is like speaking to a doctor," Jones said. "Like, he knows the uttermost detail of his body, and what he's trying to do is speed up the diagnosis of cancer in general, especially lung cancer, and trying to reduce the time it takes to be diagnosed, which could save you from being diagnosed at stage three or four rather than one, two. You then have a chance of survival."
Jones's Changed Perspective on Life
Jones said his friendship with Maxwell, which dates back to their time working in rugby together, has changed how he views his own life. He also mentioned that Olympic cyclist Chris Hoy has become a good friend over the last few years, and both are stage four cancer patients on very different journeys.
"It's definitely changed my reflections on life," Jones said. "Like, I just don't feel like I have anything to complain about. You know? Sometimes I feel quite guilty about living life because I think I should be grafting."
"Whereas with them, you try and think more of the day-to-day and enjoy it for what it is," he added. "I think that's what I've learned from him as a friend, and also the fact that he's just unbelievable. He just never gives in. He's always positive. Even this morning, he's obviously struggling in hospital, and he's messaging me about the night and the things that he wants on the evening."
Rugby Return and Gala Support
Jones, who gave up a potential professional rugby career for television, returned to the field this summer after a 15-year absence, playing in the annual Jimmy Crackers' 7s tournament at Mumbles RFC, which has been running for over 30 years.
"Shanks [Tom Shanklin] sent me a message saying, 'Have you done any leg weights since you quit rugby?'" Jones said. "I absolutely loved it. I've missed rugby so much, you know, playing it, and I've got so many injuries now and my body's battered from various things."
Andy Sinclair, Managing Director of Sinclair Group, said: "I've known Craig a long time and the charity work he's been carrying out is truly remarkable. Our ambition with the event is to pass the £2 million milestone together. In doing so, we can help Craig achieve something that means an enormous amount to him and his family - creating a lasting legacy for his family, while also ensuring that families facing cancer in Wales have access to faster diagnosis, pioneering genomics and better opportunities for treatment."
Donations can be made to The Maxwell Family Fund.
