In 2009, my dad was diagnosed with an advanced form of prostate cancer, and sadly, lost his battle against the disease a few years later.

Like many men, he didn't like to bother the doctor, and thought his symptoms were just old age rather than anything more serious. Following his initial diagnosis, the first thing he said to my mum was "I never thought it would be cancer".

The one thing that would have helped my dad is awareness of the disease. He just never saw his symptoms as anything sinister, he just didn't know.

One of the main goals I would like to achieve by rowing across the Atlantic is to raise the profile of prostate cancer, so that guy's can protect themselves against this treatable condition.

I am part of the Toby Wallace crew who will be rowing an 8 man rowing boat 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean from Gran Canaria to Barbados, setting out during the first week of November (2014). The row is totally unsupported and we will carry all our supplies needed for the journey, including a desalinator which we will use to produce drinking water from the sea. Rowing in a shift pattern of 2 hours on, 2 hours off, sleep deprivation will be one of the biggest challenges along with sea sickness and salt soars. We also hope to complete the crossing in under 32 days, and, in doing so, break the current world record. You can follow my progress at...

http://www.oceanusrowing.co.uk/atlantic-row-nov-2014/

Thank you for visiting my page.

John