Toukley local, Ken Hind has joined the quest to make prostate cancer history this September!
Ken, who is currently living with prostate cancer, will join thousands of Australians aiming to cover the distance to the moon, 384,400km, for Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia's pinnacle event, The Long Run.
Held during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, The Long Run calls on locals to run, walk or wheel 72km throughout the month to raise funds and awareness for those impacted by the disease.
Prostate cancer has overtaken breast cancer as the country's leading cause of cancer, with 66 men diagnosed every day. On the Central Coast alone, over 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 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. Telling my wife Debbie and my three adult kids nearly broke me," he said.
"Surgery went well, all things considered. I spent a few days in hospital with some severe ups and downs. 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 encouraged 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.
"Getting tested and please support PCFA 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 www.thelongrun.org.au/fundraisers/kenhind.
Locals can register in one easy step via thelongrun.org.au.
PCFA CEO Anne Savage encouraged locals to join Ken on his mission by taking part.
"The Long Run is expected to be the biggest in history this year, with increasing numbers of men being diagnosed and nearly 10 men dying from prostate cancer every single day," Ms Savage said.
"The number of men being diagnosed with prostate cancer is increasing more rapidly than any other type of cancer, and the impact it takes on men's lives is significant.
"Men with prostate cancer face a 70 per cent increased risk of suicide death, and 72 per cent of men do not get support for their mental health concerns.
"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 $1.7 million for research and support, by calling on Australians to help us cover the distance to the moon."
More than 240,000 Australian men have now been diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime - a figure set to increase by 43 per cent by 2040.
"We've come a long way - increasing survival rates to 95 per cent, but we will not stop until we defeat prostate cancer," Ms Savage said.
"We're asking those who want to join our moon shot in The Long Run to run, walk, wheel or roller skate 72km during September, in solidarity with patients and survivors."
