I’m taking part in Friends of ANCHOR’s Brave to raise vital funds for those facing cancer or haematology diagnosis. Every penny of your donation will go towards the charity’s mission to support cancer and haematology patients in the North of Scotland.

Personally the impact that Friends of ANCHOR had on me during my treatment was huge. Every morning when I walked down the long, long corridor (past the morgue) to Radiotherapy there was always a happy, smiley face offering me help or water. It always reassured me but especially the first day a Friends of ANCHOR volunteer calmed my fears and made it all seem possible. At the end of treatment their wellness pack was wonderful and so practical.

For those of you who I have taught over the years, particularly in Rome International School, if you raise enough money i will record the infamous “Break Down the Barriers’ song i wrote for you.

Please, please, please share this page and give us much as you can comfortably afford.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, in advance!

Owen

Cancer Journey Synopsis

July 2023 while in Tuscany for a wedding i became very, very unwell. My blood pressure was 220 in the heart attack/ stroke region for 5 days. A local doctor prescribed me strong antibiotics for a suspected prostrate infection. I spent 4 weeks trying to get my blood pressure low enough for me to be able to fly back to the UK.

Once back in the UK I saw my local doctor who ran some tests and then wanted me to go directly to hospital for some more checks. There i was given a catheter to relieve the pressure on my bladder, however we didn’t know how much pressure there was. Within 8 hours i had filled three 2 litre bags!!!! This was unheard of and so I was told to go immediately to the Urology department of the main hospital in Aberdeen. They scanned my kidneys and were shocked that there was little to no damage commenting ‘You must be bionic, you should be dead!’.

After more tests it was discovered that i actually had a very aggressive prostrate cancer with samples coming back as stage 4/5. After an operation my Urology Consultant said ‘You have a horrible, horrible cancer’. This was because it was spreading fast and my PSA (prostrate specific antigen) was 228 out of 300!!!!

7 weeks after my TURP operation i was then eligible for radiotherapy which I finally got in May 2024. By this stage I was pretty famous around the hospital and my Radiologist came up to me on day 2 saying ‘I know who you are…..you are water boy!’. My medical staff including nurses at my local medical centre were all amazed that I survived and use me as teaching example with students.

My medical team have been amazing throughout my Cancer Journey, which I am still on and Friends of Anchor were there when I needed them the most. They are volunteers that provide essential support services, including smiles, when we are at our lowest. Please, please, please give generously so that this vital work can continue.