Man, 73, abseils to 'give back' for decades of care

A 73-year-old cancer survivor with a sight impairment has abseiled 160ft (49m) down a central London hospital to "give something back" for the care he has received over two decades.

Nigel Haselden, a former Clapham councillor, was given a 10% chance of surviving five years when he was diagnosed with an aggressive bladder tumour in 2004.

Following an eight-hour surgery to remove it, chemotherapy at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital and aftercare, he was given the all-clear 10 years later.

His abseil down the hospital where he was treated has so far raised £1,000 for the Guy's and St Thomas' charity.

"I’m very indebted for the attention I’ve had, and the abseil is one way to give something back," Mr Haselden said.

"The experience at the hospital was so psychologically important, and my doctors were my comfort zone during that time.”

Having completed the abseil, Mr Haselden said: "My heart stopped for a millisecond when I stepped off at first.

"But the descent was tremendous, the views were amazing, and I really enjoyed it.”

After getting the all-clear from cancer in 2014, Mr Haselden was diagnosed with smouldering myeloma, an asymptomatic form of myeloma which requires close monitoring by the haematology team.

He is also under the care of the physiotherapy team and taking part in the Trust’s balance retraining programme following diagnosis with a form of vertigo after a viral infection.

Mr Haselden said having the hospital nearby was a "comforting presence".

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