Ken Hind of Toukley will unite with thousands of others around the country living with prostate cancer who are aiming to collectively cover the distance to the moon – 384,400km – in The Long Run next month.
He was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year and in an effort to fight back against the disease he’s signed up to walk 72km throughout September.
The Long Run is the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s pinnacle fundraising event when people can run, walk or wheel 72km throughout September which is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
Prostate cancer has overtaken breast cancer as the country’s leading cause of cancer, with 66 men diagnosed every day.
In the Central Coast region alone, more than 300 men are expected to be diagnosed this year.
Ken was inspired to take action and join the mission after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2021.
Following a routine check-up, Ken’s GP sent him to see a specialist after they discovered he had an elevated PSA (prostate-specific antigen) level of 7.2. An MRI and other tests followed, and he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
“To say it is life altering is an understatement and telling my wife Debbie and my three adult kids nearly broke me,” he said.
“Surgery went well, all things considered, and I spent a few days in hospital with some severe ups and downs when I cried like a baby many times, but kept a brave face when visitors came to say hello.
“Since then, it’s been a rollercoaster of uncertainty. My first PSA test after surgery came back at 0.27, then it crept up to 0.29, 0.39 and 0.43.
“I’m booked in for more tests in September and will see a radiation oncologist to figure out next steps.”
Ken is now determined to do what he can to raise money towards awareness and research for the condition, so that he can save other men from being in his situation.
“While I was recovering from surgery last year, my wife and kids joined up and raised a few thousand dollars. So, this year I thought I would try to help and raise what I can in support.
“As a sufferer of this hideous disease, I want to do whatever I can to help the doctors and nurses raise awareness and find a cure or better treatment options to save others from the same fate.”
Ken encourages other men to speak with their GPs about PSA testing.
“My message to all men out there is to get tested. To their wives, partners and kids – tell the men in your life to get tested and please support Prostate Cancer Foundation however you can.
“And to everyone reading this, please keep your fingers crossed for me and all the other men out there in the same situation.”
Locals can get behind Ken’s efforts by donating at thelongrun.org.au/fundraisers/kenhind or registering for The Long Run at thelongrun.org.au
CEO of Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia, Anne Savage says that a rapdidly increasing number of men are being diagnosed and nearly 10 men are dying from prostate cancer every single day.
More than 240,000 Australian men have now been diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime – a figure set to increase by 43 percent by 2040.
“Men with prostate cancer face a 70 percent increased risk of suicide death, and 72 percent of men do not get support for their mental health concerns,” Savage said.
“In response, we’re launching a moon shot for research and awareness in our quest to make prostate cancer history.
“Our aim is to raise over $1.7M for research and support, by calling on Australians to help us cover the distance to the moon.
“We’ve come a long way – increasing survival rates to 95 percent, but we will not stop until we defeat prostate cancer,” Savage said.
Sue Murray