Ken Webb
Ken's page
Fundraising for Cancer Research UK
Story
MALE CANCERS
These take several forms including Testicular Cancer and Prostate Cancer. Symptoms are lumps or swellings on the testicles or persistent changes to toileting habits. At the first sign of any of these symptoms the cool thing to do is to make an appointment with your doctor.
IT IS NOT COOL TO IGNORE AND HOPE THAT THEY WILL GO AWAY
In November 2008 I showed symptoms and did the cool thing by making an appointment with my doctor. He arranged for appropriate tests and I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer on 17 December 2008. A course of treatment began almost immediately to bring the situation under control which thankfully it now is.
My first reaction was: OK so it is my turn but nothing changes; I will get on with my life. How would you react?
You may ask – what if it happens to me.
You may ask – who will sort me out?
You may ask - should I have gone to the doctor earlier?
Over the last 40 plus years involved in football as a referee, instructor and assessor and in cricket as a player, coach and umpire I have made contact with literally thousands of people. I have also been aware of the many people that I have met who have been touched by Male Cancers and the challenges that they have faced as a consequence. Some are no longer with us all for the sake of being cool and talking to their doctor.
I have now set myself a challenge to try and raise funds for Cancer Research UK to help their work to eradicate these ‘male curses’. I have decided to take a walk ‘up the hill’ in February next year. Not just any old hill but the highest point on the African continent. Mount Kilimanjaro!
I am aware that this is not a challenge undertaken lightly by someone of my age and so have been going to the gym at least twice a week and plan over the winter months to undertake a series of demanding walks around the New Forest as part of my continued preparation. You may now ask where you come into all this. Answer – quite simple – support me by sponsoring me or making a donation to Cancer Research UK.
It would be wonderful if everyone that I have met through my sporting activities was to donate £1.00 but realistically that would not happen. In these cash strapped times it is still worth buying yourself a little insurance in case it happens to you. Individuals, clubs or organisations may want to visit the www.JUSTGIVING.com website and show their support by JUST GIVING.
If you have read this far then I thank you for doing so and hope that it may have struck a chord somewhere and prompted you to buy into that insurance by helping Cancer Research UK in their invaluable work just in case it happens to you.