Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

As some of you know, then aged 55, after a routine PSA blood test at my GP's surgery and completely asymptomatic, I was diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer in the autumn of 2019. I underwent a radical robotic prostatectomy on 25th November, under the care of the amazing Declan Cahill and the wonderful team at the London Bridge Hospital (appropriately the private wing of Guy's Hospital). I was lucky - we had caught it early and, so far at least, the treatment appears to have been successful, with all my subsequent PSA readings so far being 0.0 (from 8.4 in autumn 2019). 

The treatment was fantastic and I was lucky to be covered by BUPA (so there was little delay ahead of the operation - thank goodness, as the pandemic hit only a few months later) and cared for by amazing people. The worst part was the waiting after my PSA reading and before my biopsy. Throughout that difficult period, the Prostate Cancer UK website was a constant source of information and support, telling me step by step what to expect and how to prepare and giving me excellent video case studies to watch, where fellow sufferers shared their experiences of the different treatment options available. 

Not everyone has the luck to be diagnosed early or have private health care, but anyone can access Prostate Cancer UK's excellent website and talk to their fabulous people about what they might be going through. I commend their work and hope you will support this excellent cause - and also extend your sympathies to my wife, Lucy, who had managed to keep me free of facial hair throughout our 35 years together!

And guys, I know you've heard it elsewhere, but please get a PSA test. You can do it at your GP's surgery and it takes a matter of seconds. 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.