Who we are: Jules Jefferis- Business development

My name is Julian and I’m a cancer survivor. I work closely with Morgan at Valere and we are always thinking about how what we do can better meet the needs of people dealing with cancer.

I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017 when I was 32 years old. Since then, I have had 14 rounds of chemotherapy, four rounds of immunotherapy, and two major surgeries.

Through this period, I have seen the power of exercise – when I am in the gym with Morgan, or when I am lucky enough to get outside for a run, I feel strong and healthy again. My fatigue melts away. My mental sharpness returns. It really is incredible.

But it’s not just how I feel – the evidence shows exercise is medicine for cancer patients. Those who exercise experience less side effects from treatment, are less likely to have their cancer recur, and save money on medical bills. They are also more likely to be able to complete challenging treatments like chemotherapy – which aligns with my experience. Even when I am feeling ordinary from the effects of treatment, I feel better when I exercise.

We also know that cancer patients do not exercise enough. This is not surprising. When you are diagnosed and faced with a whirlwind of tests, scans and appointments and then thrown straight into treatment which makes you feel ordinary, the last thing you are going to do is join a gym. However, it really is one of the first things you should be doing.

At Valere we are passionate about spreading the power of exercise for cancer patients and making sure as many people as possible are giving themselves the best chance of surviving their cancer diagnosis. Exercise is an integral part of that. We are excited about seeing the Valere community grow!