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Grand National Hero Bob Champion Battles Cancer for Second Time
23 Oct
Summary
- Bob Champion is battling bladder cancer for the second time.
- His previous survival of cancer led to a famous Grand National win.
- He has raised over £17 million for cancer research through his trust.
Bob Champion, the legendary jockey renowned for his 1981 Grand National victory on Aldaniti after surviving cancer, is now facing a new health challenge. He is currently undergoing treatment for bladder cancer, marking his second battle with the disease. This time, symptoms were detected early, offering a more manageable outlook.
Champion, now 78, is undergoing chemotherapy, which he describes as less severe than his initial treatment for testicular cancer eighteen months prior to his historic win. He expressed optimism, stating, "We're on top of it." The rigorous treatment does leave him fatigued, but he is able to maintain a degree of activity.
Champion's resilience extends beyond his personal health. In 1983, he established the Bob Champion Cancer Trust, dedicated to advancing research into all cancer forms, with a focus on prostate and testicular cancers. The trust has successfully raised over £17 million, supporting research centers in London and Norwich. For his contributions, Champion was awarded a CBE in the 2021 New Year's Honours List.
