Brenda Boult

This September I've set myself a fundraising challenge to help bring down prostate cancer and support our mates. 

Four years ago my dad lost his battle with prostate cancer… I am not seeking sympathy, but hope by sharing my dads story I can prevent someone ending up in the same position as him, and prevent a family from the heartache of losing great inspirational men in their lives. 

My dad was diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer, the specialist advised he would live less than 12 months without treatment and with treatment greater than 3 years… so dad being a battler chose treatment. This however was never going to be a cure for him.

Dad always knew the risks of prostate cancer, so faithfully every year took the PSA blood test, believing that this marker would show if he was at risk of cancer. His blood count never reached anywhere near the threshold.

A few years prior to being diagnosed dad started getting pain in the right side of his abdomen, he explained the pain to the doctor who performed some blood tests and said it was probably kidney stones. Dad subsequently put further symptoms down to probably just being kidney stones. After a year of pain and discomfort the doctor finally recommended an ultrasound and 2 weeks later dad was in hospital receiving surgery to remove a growth. This was followed by the gruelling treatment of chemo and radiation.

Dad got through the anger and disappointment before he passed away. I’m still saddened that dad was misdiagnosed. 

However Dad’s lesson, which he shared, and our lesson as a family is that experts don’t always get it right. When it comes to your health ask questions, and a get a second opinion.

My goal is to raise awareness and to make a difference in the hope that you never have to feel the void of not having your “Hero” in your life.

Here's the gameplan: 

Through the month of September I’ll aim to walk 700km… that number… 700 is approximately the number of kiwi men that die each year from prostate cancer… almost 2 men every day

Let's tackle prostate cancer together.  Because prostate cancer is killing men in our community. It's the most diagnosed cancer for blokes in NZ. 

Your support helps provide research into treating and diagnosing prostate cancer, along with support for people affected by a diagnosis. Plus you'll be helping raise awareness so more blokes know to get tested when they need to.

Please donate ❤️