Graveling for Prostate Cancer Awareness
Hi,
My name is Dan and I am a prostate cancer survivor.....
What a way to start a conversation, but many men would rather not talk about it. Prostate cancer is the number 1 most common cancer in men, but more importantly, it is the number 2 most fatal cancer. In my journey, I found that I really had to research to understand my disease and what options I had in addressing it. There are a lot of misconceptions that it is not a particularly bad cancer or even deadly, but the truth is it can be very deadly, as evidenced by the fatality rate cited above.
I didn't find any local support groups or other men willing to talk about their experience with cancer. Men tend to be the silent sufferers and just take their lumps (probably a bad choice of words ). Without this discussion, many men either don't get tested or are not aware of the implications if they test high for PSA. The medical community has been guided towards a conservative approach when recommending further testing and treatment by what I believe is insurance company's policy. I say this because my high PSA test was dismissed without a recommendation for further testing or observation. Three years later, I was diagnosed at Stage 3c and had to undergo radical surgery to remove the cancer. My wife and I live for my PSA test results every three months to make sure the cancer has been successfully removed.
THE GOAL OF THIS GO FUND ME
Cycling has always been my passion, and I attribute my recovery and current health to the exercise I get from it. Gravel racing is a relatively new aspect of cycling that I have embraced and attracts participation from a diverse demographic. Also, I believe in having goals to look forward to and attain to keep a strong attitude about life. I am here to encourage other men who have gone through this to survive and thrive after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
This Go Fund Me will evolve as I discover the ways in which I can help. I hope to start a support group in the Denver Metro area (there were none I could find after my surgery), and I want to have a presence at cycling events and connect with not only men over 50, but their wives, daughters, sons and families in general. While my ultimate goals are not set in stone, there are other ways to help. If it is more comfortable, I encourage you to donate directly to the Prostate Cancer Foundation at:
Otherwise, I will gratefully accept if you choose to donate to this Go Fund Me.
Give $50 to help get this fundraiser to its goal
Organizer
Dan Mieszala
Organizer
Littleton, CO
