I am using this platform to raise awareness about Cancer that can affect your Father, Brother, Son, Partner' Husband' Uncle, Nephew, Grandfather, Cousin or friend. Prostate Cancer is, like all Cancers, a disease that tears families apart and stops you in your tracks when you hear those chilling words "I've got Cancer" That is where the Cancer journey begins and once started, there is no guarantee where it will take you.

I know this from personal experience having lost my Mother (2005), Sister Joan (2008) and Father (2010) to the disease. You are not taught how to cope with grief in this Country, it is not a cultural ritual that is openly celebrated and so the loss hits you hard when it happens, no matter your age.

Having had a reprieve for a couple of years we were hit again when another Sister was struck down with the disease and whilst daunting at the time for her, she has bravely and with dignity fought with a courage and strength that is to be admired. She is now in remission from Breast cancer and gives us hope that with technological advances and breakthroughs in Science that we will beat this disease and offer treatments to more that will enable them to also challenge and beat this disease.

For my family, the disease has struck again. My Brother was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer last year but only started his treatment last week. It is an aggressive treatment that will see him endure six months of gruelling chemotherapy followed by intensive radiotherapy. He is focused on his treatment and remains stoic in his attitude. He did not give up work until his treatment started and would not dream of taking sick days. He wants to live his life with Cancer and not be defined by it.

He has an uphill struggle as not only will the illness require strength and resilience to remain positive, he still has to live and fund himself through treatment and absence from work. His job is such that he cannot continue at work due to contact with people or establishments that pose a risk of infection. His immune system will be severely affected by the toxic drugs used to kill the cancer and so to protect him, he must remain free from vulnerability or exposure to potential infections that could cause severe secondary illness that a weakened immune system will struggle to deal with.

I am posting this to raise awareness for the disease. There is a huge publicity machine now behind Breast Cancer and we need to get the same level of awareness out there for Prostate Cancer so that vital research can change lives and beat this disease.

I am not specifically looking to raise money, though donations will support my Brother through his absence from work and make his life less daunting while he is unable to work.

I am in awe of his attitude. He has remained positive, and continues to live his life to the fullest despite knowing the risks and prognosis of those diagnosed with Cancer, having lost close family members himself. He is an inspiration and his attitude would be a useful addition to any family facing this diagnosis