Warwick cancer survivor’s musical efforts to help fight the disease

Just over a year ago, Mick Shaler was diagnosed with a rare cancer of the tongue, but, following intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, he has been given the all-clear.

And despite still suffering from pain in his throat and having lost three stone in weight, Mick continues to perform in bands when he can.

He said: “It was the three words no one ever wants to hear - ‘you have cancer’.

“These concerts have been arranged to give something back to the professionals who got me through this scary and debilitating time.

“My music has been very important to me over the years. I was so scared that I would never sing again or be able to play my fiddle.

“Thankfully I am able to do both – albeit less than before due to fatigue and some muscle weakness, but hey.”

Raising funds for the Arden Centre at the University Hospital in Coventry and Macmillan Cancer Support, Mick will play at the ‘Piganini Trology’ gigs - so called because the Warwick-based Slaugherhouse Brewery is producing Piganini, a special beer for the event - the first of which features The Big Swing and The Dolbys. It takes place at the Lord Leycester Hotel in Warwick on Saturday and tickets cost £20, with a hot and cold buffet and auction, the top prize of which is a champagne meal for 12.

The second gig, featuring Napton/Stockton band Three Men In A Boat, Warwick/Redditch band The Revenge of the Wrinklies and Hagglebag from Worcester, is at the Wild Boar pub in Lakin Road, Warwick, on Saturday May 19.

The third in the trilogy is also at the Wild Boar on Saturday June 16 and the bands performing will be Warwick/Redditch group Octarine and Time After Time. Tickets for the May and June gigs cost £8 each.

Mick said: “Macmillan was there from day one to offer help and a big shoulder to cry on. We cannot ever thank them enough.

“We would like as many people as can to attend the concerts so that we can raise funds to help the next people touched by this insidious disease that simply refuses to respect age, class or colour. It can affect anyone.

“I was lucky - I got through it, but many succumb to cancer. Let’s help them if we can.”

For tickets and further details, call Mick on 07817 511152 or email [email protected]