WATCH: FInd out more about Luke's incredible efforts on two wheels

In 2018, Luke Grenfell-Shaw was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. Doctors told him he was suffering from a rare and aggressive sarcoma for which there was no cure.

At the age of 24, Luke faced the devastating reality that his life would be cut short. It was in his darkest moments that he decided to make every day count and embark on an incredible journey to cycle on a tandem from his home in the western English city of Bristol to the Chinese capital of Beijing to raise money for five cancer related charities. 

It's a physical feat that would test the will and endurance of a seasoned athlete. He estimated that the 30,000 kilometer ride would take two-and-a-half years to complete, via 30 countries, all while undergoing routine chemotherapy and scans to monitor his cancer and maximize his quality of life.

But before that, he had to come to terms with the shock of his diagnosis.

"At 24-years-old, all my dreams were just gone," he said to CGTN. "It was totally devastating. I had worked so hard through my life. I had achieved so much. I was so excited for all the life that I had ahead, for all the traveling and adventures I was going to do. And I'd basically been told, 'you're going to die'."

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While Luke was in hospital, his only brother was killed in a tragic accident while out hill running. But Luke said that only gave him more motivation to complete a journey they had both dreamed about.

He started his adventure in 2020, aiming to raise $380,000, but stopped near the border with China in 2022 as a result of COVID restrictions. Now,  he is planning to pick up where he left off a year ago.

Luke says the expedition was partly inspired by his interest in the ancient Silk Road. 

"My studies have taken me from the Middle East through to Central Asia," he said. "And so for me, Beijing was the natural destination because in many ways, I think China is going to be leading and hugely influential in the 21st century. 

He added: "I wanted to not only understand China, but understand China in the context of the rest of Eurasia. And the best way of doing that, in my opinion, is to cycle the whole way."

Luke has continued to undergo scans every three months since he was diagnosed and it's uncertain how long his treatment will keep him alive for. The ambiguity of his future led him to coin the term "canlive" to describe people who are living with cancer. 

"[The term] reflects the daily uncertainties and challenges of what it is to live with cancer, but also a term that is optimistic that you can live with cancer, you can live your dreams, you can have a rich and fulfilling life,”he said.

He also believes that his physical efforts are helping him to prolong his life. 

"When you're physically active, it boosts your mood," he said. "You get endorphins, but it also keeps your body stronger, which means that you can withstand the chemotherapy. It means that the chemotherapy is more effective." 

Luke doesn't know what tomorrow, next week or even next year will bring, but he's adamant that that cancer won't stop him from living life on his terms.

"I've had five more years of life than I expected," he added. "And if I'm very lucky, maybe I'll get five more years. We don't know, but I'm going to do everything I can just to live my life to the full in that time.”

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