This July, a team of 15 cyclists will take on the ‘Cycle Against Cancer’ challenge across Europe, aiming to raise funds and awareness for cancer patients in support of the Al Jalila Foundation.
“A healthy person wants a thousand things; a sick person wants only one.” It is a timeless insight rooted in Stoic philosophy, but for long-time Dubai resident Guido De Wilde, it reflects a deeply personal experience.
When life is moving at the relentless pace of a successful corporate career, ambitions and goals can seem endless. But a life-changing diagnosis has a way of stripping everything back, leaving a single overriding wish: to regain your health.
For Guido, that moment came in January 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. At the time, he was responsible for a vast hospitality portfolio across the Middle East, Turkey and Egypt, overseeing more than 170 hotels while navigating one of the industry’s most challenging periods and confronting his own diagnosis.
Yet rather than giving in to despair, he found strength in the way the diagnosis was delivered.
“When I received the diagnosis, I immediately realised how important it is for patients to hear such news in the right way,” he recalled. “Although my case was very serious, the radiologist also gave me hope. He made it clear there was a way forward and that I could be cured. That message is incredibly important when you are facing a diagnosis like that. He gave me hope, and I carried that with me throughout my journey.”
For Guido De Wilde, that sense of hope became a guiding force, helping him confront the challenges of treatment and recovery with determination and resilience.
Finding a sanctuary of healing in Dubai
Navigating advanced cancer treatment is challenging under any circumstances, but doing so during a global pandemic brought an entirely new set of obstacles.
For Guido De Wilde, the experience reinforced his confidence in the healthcare system of his adopted home. While hospitals in parts of Europe were forced to postpone or delay cancer treatments amid the surge in COVID-19 cases, Dubai’s healthcare network continued to provide uninterrupted care.
“I’ve been extremely privileged in the sense that I got treated here in Dubai and that it went extremely well,” he said. “I’m very happy to share that there’s excellent medical care in Dubai.”
Guido underwent major surgery followed by six months of intensive chemotherapy. Rather than allowing the treatment to define him, he took an active role in his recovery. He trained from home using a virtual cycling system, incorporated yoga into his routine three times a week, prioritised sleep and nutrition, and worked closely with a personal trainer he had trusted for 17 years to maintain his physical strength.
By July 2021, recognising the importance of putting his health first, Guido chose to step away from his demanding corporate position. But for him, retirement was never about slowing down.
“I repurposed my life,” he explained. “Retirement doesn’t mean that you stop and exit. I don’t like that word, actually. It’s when you start a new chapter of your life.”
The birth of Cycle Against Cancer
In May 2022, Guido transformed that new chapter into action by launching his first independent charity initiative. He completed a gruelling seven-day solo cycling journey from Brussels to Bergamo, Italy, raising an impressive $100,000 for the Al Jalila Foundation.
The ride marked the official beginning of Cycle Against Cancer — a movement inspired by his personal journey and driven by a commitment to support cancer patients and the wider healthcare community.
Last year, Guido began planning a far more ambitious collective endurance challenge for the summer of 2026.
Starting on July 1, a team of 15 riders will embark on a 3,333-kilometre journey from Barcelona to Paris, tackling more than 54,000 metres of elevation gain over 25 days.
The team, 13 of whom are based in Dubai, brings together passionate cyclists, business leaders and advocates united by a deeply personal connection to the cause. Among them is another Stage 4 cancer survivor.
“There is one other cancer survivor who was also diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. His was bone cancer,” Guido said. “The rest of the team members have family members whom they have either lost to cancer or who are currently undergoing treatment. There is a shared purpose, which is very important. Everyone understands why they are doing this.”
Preparing for an endurance challenge of this scale while balancing demanding careers and family responsibilities has been a test in itself, particularly during the UAE summer. To avoid the intense heat, training sessions often begin in the early hours of the morning.
“We would routinely wake up at 2am or 3am to train at the Al Qudra cycling track before the desert heat became unbearable,” Guido said. “The shared mission keeps us going.”
A lifetime of giving back
While his cancer journey has strengthened his commitment to philanthropy, Guido says the desire to help others has always been part of who he is.
Raised in the Flemish countryside of Belgium, where cycling is woven into everyday life, he grew up in a family that emphasised honesty, integrity and kindness.
“I grew up in a family where the values were all about honesty, integrity, doing the right thing, keeping your promises and being kind to people,” he said. “We lived comfortably. We weren’t rich, but we were always taught to help others. Somehow, I’ve always carried that with me.”
Long before his diagnosis, Guido had spent years combining his passion for cycling with charitable causes. Throughout his hospitality career, he organised and participated in fundraising rides supporting initiatives focused on children’s welfare, education and community development.
When the Al Jalila Foundation was established in Dubai in 2013, supporting its mission felt like a natural progression. What began as a partnership has now spanned more than a decade.
Fuelling hope for the UAE community
Every dirham raised through the 2026 Cycle Against Cancer ride will go directly to the cancer fund of Al Jalila Foundation. In a country where more than 7,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed each year, the funds will help provide patients with access to treatment and essential medical support.
For Guido, however, the initiative is about more than raising money.
“What I really hope is that the message we want to deliver reaches people,” he said. “We want to inspire those who are receiving a diagnosis, undergoing treatment or recovering from cancer. Hopefully, our example will help others find strength. There is life after a diagnosis.”
Looking beyond this year’s challenge, Guido is optimistic about the future of Cycle Against Cancer. While some participants have suggested turning it into an annual event, his focus remains firmly on the journey ahead.
“Is there a desire to continue and make it an annual event? Yes,” he said. “But first, we want to do this one right. We want people to understand what Al Jalila Foundation does and the impact it has on people’s lives.”
From July 1, daily updates from the Barcelona-to-Paris ride will be shared on Instagram via @cycleagainstcancer, documenting the efforts of cancer survivors, supporters and advocates as they carry a message of resilience, determination and hope across Europe.
