My name is Nathaniel Dye and at the age of 36, I was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer. I have been told that I am in my last year of life and - though if given a year, I’ll aim to see you in two- if my prognosis is accurate, I’ll most likely be in the ground by around March 2026, not long after my 40th birthday.
I may be dying but whilst I can, I choose to live and show the world through words and deeds that it’s possible to live a full life post-diagnosis. To raise awareness along the way in the hope that others - unlike me - can maybe catch cancer early enough to give them a hopeful outcome and a longer life.
This attitude has taken me on all sorts of adventures over the past two and a half years or so and achievements have included:
A comeback to ultramarathon running, covering 100 miles in 29 hours with cancer in three places and a stoma/colostomy bag
Campaigning to support the government in improving an NHS system that saw cancer treatment come to me far too late
Running the 2024 London Marathon whilst playing the trombone
Walking and running from John O’Groats to Land’s End in 60 days, averaging 20 miles a day and covering 1,200 miles
Recording and releasing my ‘cancer concept album’ Matters of Life and Death
Being awarded an MBE in the 2025 New Year’s Honours List for raising cancer awareness and campaigning for an improved NHS
Receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Independent Society of Musicians (ISM)
Completing the 2025 London Marathon with over 50 tumours in my lungs alone
Joining ska-punk band Filthy Militia and recording on our soon-to-be released album High Ground
Campaigning in favour of the Terminally Adults Bill (Assisted Dying) which has progressed through the House of Commons and is now progressing through the Lords
Advocating for improved end of life care on behalf of charity Marie Curie
I’m proudly fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support because they have already given me so much support in the form of medical information, counselling, media opportunities, a free will, and palliative nursing care. Macmillan are well and truly there for people with cancer and those around them. So far we’ve raised over £40,000 but really - the sky’s the limit.
As my health inevitably deteriorates, it really isn’t easy to know what my body will be capable of in (what may well be) my last year of life. Of course, I’d love to stay as fit and active as I was before I had cancer and defy the odds for as long as possible. But rather than pushing my broken and cancer ridden body to the limit, these stated aims are a little more… modest. Though they do reflect what I’ve found to be most important in life as it comes to an end: Places, causes, experiences and people. If you’re reading this and might be able to help me tick off an item, please get in touch via the contact page.