15 September 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 7
INITIATIVE Local man helps promote Blue September campaign
Helping to support cancer campaign Q LAURA WEBB blanch@gazettegroup.com
A BL A N C H A R D S TOWN man, who faced and overcame prostate cancer, is one of the people joining well-known faces, such as Taoiseach Enda Kenny, to support the Blue September campaign, which encourages men to “face up to cancer”. In January of this year, David Rose was diagnosed with prostate cancer, the same cancer his brother died from two years earlier. Luckily, he was diagnosed at an early stage and, following an operation in May to remove his prostate, he continues to live life to the full. Blue September was launched at the beginning of this month and
is a growing global initiative to encourage men to be more aware of their health and more proactive in protecting themselves against preventable and treatable diseases. It’s encouraging supporters to host a blue event day in September. The 58-year-old is now sharing his story to urge men to bite the bullet and get checked for prostate cancer. He believes the Blue September campaign is “waking people up” and that more and more men will get checked because of it. “Most blokes think: ‘I am only in my forties, fifties, I’m grand.’ But I was 57 when I got it and I am sure there are younger people who got it.” Now he is encouraging every man he talks to get checked. “I just keep say-
ing it’s a simple blood test that is all it is. There were no symptoms and when you have no symptoms you think you are bullet proof, you think nothing is wrong with you. I had no symptoms; it was the blood test, [the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test] that I had that got it. They gave me a biopsy two weeks later and then I went in for the operation. “My brother died of it two years ago, it spread to his colon. I was more aware of it then, and then my best friend, his brother got it and when he got it his level of PSA was high, mine was low. The day I was getting my operation, he was being buried. His brother came outside the graveyard and said it is ironic that he is burying his brother the same day I am getting an opera-
tion to save my life – it’s strange.” David was given the choice to have radiation treatment or remove the prostate. After discussing it with his wife he chose to have it removed. “I thought the best option for me was to get rid of it altogether – so I did; I know if I hadn’t got anything done, I wouldn’t have lasted a year or two. “I think doctors should automatically do a PSA test while they are doing blood, you shouldn’t have to ask for it. It’s only a click of a pen at the end of the day. “I was very lucky when they caught it. I feel brilliant now. If there are no symptoms it probably means it’s in the early stages, so it likely you’ll catch it early and
CRIME: WHITESTOWN SHOOTING
Gardai appeal for any witness to attack
Pictured at Government Buildings for the launch of Blue September, are Taoiseach Enda Kenny, with prostate cancer survivor, David Rose
if you do symptoms get it checked because it can save your life. People just need to be encouraged. I am encouraging everyone I’m in contact with to get checked,” said David. Blue September Ireland will raise awareness of bowel, lung, prostate and testicular cancer, while
fundraising for the following Irish charities: Cancer Care West, The Marie Keating Foundation, The Mater Foundation and The Mercy Hospital Foundation. For further information on Blue September, log onto www.blueseptember.ie
GARDAI are appealing to witnesses or anyone with information to come forward following a shooting in Whitestown on Monday night. A 35-year-old sustained an injury to his leg when a lone gunman fired a number of shots during an incident at Whitestown Drive at 10.30pm on Monday September 12. The man was taken to hospital and later discharged. Gardai are asking anyone with information to contact Blanchardstow n Garda Station on 6667000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.