My Beat Prostate Cancer year

‘‘Extending the 45 minutes’ by kicking Prostate Cancer into touch Thank you for taking the time to read mystory If you feel you might like to make a donation towards my busy year of personal challenges raising funds to improve the lives of those like myself fighting Prostate Cancer your generosity would be greatly appreciated, as every penny raised will be going to Birmingham Prostate Clinic This year I am taking on more endurance events in one year than I have ever done   to raise monies towards assessment and diagnostic equipment enabling patients to have the tests they need as close as possible to their homes. Funding will be invested in a new bladder flow rate scanner. Bladder problems, affect at least one in three men over the age of 60, often having a debilitating effect on lifestyle and well-being.” The Facts - Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer in men and 1 in 8 men in the UK will be diagnosed in their lifetime - Every 45 minutes one man dies from prostate cancer – that's more than 11,500 men every year - More than 47,500 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year – that's 129 men every day   My hope ... is that you or someone you care about does not continue to live in ignorance of this disease. - If you are one of my male friends reading this and you are over 50, please consider asking your Doctor for a PSA test      It is a simple blood test and an opportunity to catch issues earlier enough to take positive action - If you are one of my female friends reading this and you have a partner or family member over 50,  please ask them to consider having the same test My Story On 9th September 2018 I faced what I thought was my worse fear whilst competing in my 2nd Ironman Wales.  Having  felt unwell during the sea swim and first 60 miles of the bike I experienced one of the most emotional and hardest decisions of my life … recording my first ever DNF. The paramedics who looked after me that day were brilliant and recommended my having blood tests when I got home. The result was a chest virus but whilst there my doctor suggested as I am over 50 I had a PSA test.  In complete ignorance like most men, I did not know what a PSA test was, or why I needed it.  Step forward 3 months to December 13th 2018 and I got the news I had been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and thoughts moved to what the future may now hold for me ….  ??. I was fortunate enough to meet Consultant Urologist Alan Doherty who is one of the UK’s most renowned prostate cancer specialists. This was my turning point and on 8th October 2019 I had a Prostatectomy with  plans for a positive recovery back to full health, … and sport once again. That being my challenge I have decided during 2020 to raise funds for Birmingham Prostate Clinic and to demonstrate life does go on after diagnosis and treatment. My Challenges  ‘April - Mad Marathon Month’ April 5th    - Manchester Marathon … April 10th - Milton Keynes Marathon … April 19th - Brighton Marathon       … April 26th - Stratford on Avon Marathon June 6th        ​​Cotswold Half Ironma June 20th     Rat Race the Wall – Run Hadrian’s Wall in a day – 70 miles August 2nd    ​​Cotswold Half Ironman Sept 20th to 23rd    ​Half Marathon De Sables - 3 day off-road 120k self-sufficient Ultra  on the Sands of Fuerteventura October 11th  ​​Chicago Marathon