Good evening all. I wonder if you can help me? I hope this is the right place to ask. Perhaps a moderator can guide me. I pick up PM’s and then thru to emails, seems easy, so do let me know. Many know that I have been battling with Prostate cancer for some 4 years – what you don’t know is that I am producing a documentary film about this journey. This has not been done before, tracking a patient on his journey. Some might say, “Silly Gaffer”, but do you know, it has been an amazing experience, going behind the scenes and meeting some of the top specialists in the UK. This film is positive, informative, light hearted and engages leading specialists in their field of Prostate Cancer, research, treatments and health. The future is bright! I have been very lucky to have a remarkable team of characters and specialists on board. There are 12 participating national & regional organisations. From the Royal Marsden Hospital to a local NHS hospital, GP surgery and local Men’s support groups. Everyone is positive and have been very supportive. BBC TV South have kindly given advice. There are 3 main messages: 1. To reduce the fear and uncertainty. 2. Seek early advice and regular tests 3. Take ownership and work up strategies to cope and live an enjoyable life. Prostate Cancer is the most common Cancer for men – 57,000 are diagnosed every a year. 11,000 will die of it. 1 in 8 men will get it. What better way to divert the odd ridiculous Town ticket price, to help fund this significant film?! Maybe you and some colleagues can help. Any bright ideas? Please let me know, and if interested or would like more info, do please get in touch. Thank you!
Hi Gaffer,thanks for sharing this with us and best wishes for your fight.CHAPS were testing for prostate cancer at the Club recently and seem quite active ,have you contacted them? Link to their website here http://www.chaps.uk.com/
How about setting up a fundme account or something like that if you're looking for a way to get donations? (assuming I read your post correctly) As always gaffer, chin up and good luck with everything
Many thanks SD, yes, the crowdfunding is my next step, with a short film clip. Thanks as ever for your support. cheers!
I am no expert in these matters but I wish you the very best in your endeavours and I am rooting for you.
Great idea Gaffer and best of luck with the documentary. I agree that crowd funding in the form of Fundme or Kickstarter is the best route to take in getting donations. When you have a finished documentary film, please send a link on here to it with an option to buy / donate for the documentary, as I'll be interested to give it a watch.
Good luck Gaffer, two of my immediate family have suffered from this condition so I have an annual PSA blood test.
Very sorry to hear that FM, but at least you are fully in the picture and doing the best thing - and I am a bit needle phobic, after my various travels!
Many thanks Nuggets, and I will provide a link. We expect to finish the film by Springtime and launch in May.
Many thanks Warky, and for your support as ever. There has been much laughter on the way, the best medicine and all that!
I will admit that I am a bit of an ostrich, burying my head in the sand hoping it will all go away. For just over a month now I have been getting a lot of blood in my pee, only for a few hours at a time then it runs clear for a few days. I know I should get it seen to but lack the bravery to take the plunge, I just tell myself that there are plenty of non-serious causes and I will be fine, but truthfully I am bloody scared.
That's a proper brave thing to write Dave and you're halfway there in confronting it especially on a public forum. I admire you greatly and all I can say like everyone else is go and get it checked out. The earlier the diagnosis the more successful the treatment will be. (If required)
Thanks JWM, I will bite the bullet soon, I have a week booked in Norwich at the end of March so I'll need to get it sorted before then.
Get yourself checked out Dave, don't leave it too long. My Mum died from cancer aged 54. It started in her breasts but she kept it hidden from my Dad for I don't know how long (I was living in Amsterdam). A neighbour made my Dad aware that my Mum had called for a taxi to get to the shops because she was out of breath...in Saxmundham!! By the time she got checked out it was deep in her lungs and she passed away after just a few days in hospital and refusing chemo etc. I didn't even get a chance to get home because it went so quickly. Don't wait!!!
Well done Dave, take that 1st step and the test is all quite painless. You will be in the best hands. And of course you can pm me if anything worries you. Earlier the test the better the outcome, whatever it might be.