Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. 

I am taking part in the Great North Run in September this year, raising money for Male Uprising Guernsey for a new scanner. 

Find out more about MUG here: www.mug.gg

The way suspected prostate cancer is investigated has changed significantly in the last 18 months. Prior to this, men with suspected prostate cancer had a Transrectal Prostate Biopsy – this is done by
inserting a probe into the rectum and taking biopsies of the prostate. This was an inaccurate procedure, with high risk of missing cancer, and a 2 % risk of serious infection.

With the advancement of magnetic resonant imaging MRI) technology, studies have shown that a far more accurate way of diagnosing prostate cancer is to perform an MRI scan first, and if this shows
an abnormality, then perform a targeted biopsy. Presently in Guernsey we have a half way house – we perform MRI scans but do not have the up to date biopsy scanner to accurately locate the MRI abnormality for biopsy. Biopsies are still carried out transrectally into roughly the area of abnormality, but there is a significant cancer miss rate still.

The newer scanners are able to fuse the MRI image onto the biopsy scanner image, allowing accurate biopsying of the abnormal area, and reducing the number of biopsies needed in each patient, meaning less pain and risk of infection. An increasing number of patients are being sent to Southampton for this biopsy method, but the waiting time is 6 months.

MUG are aiming to purchase a scanner and to donate it to the Princess Elizabeth Hospital in Guernsey by the end of this year, this will help around 100 men per annum.  However the scanner costs £60,000 and we have a long way to go.  

Therefore any help you can give by donating to this great cause will be gratefully received.

I have never run a half marathon race so this is a big challenge for me.  Anyone who knows my history of fitness and previous joy (not) of running will appreciate how big a challenge.  

However whatever challenges I face in training and taking part in this event are nothing compared to the challenges faced by the individuals who benefit from MUG's great work.

So you will not only be spurring me on by donating on this page but you will be contributing to this wonderful new scanner.

Thank you!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.