U3A helps spread the message

I have to give many thanks to the Aughton and Ormskirk branch of U3A for including a piece about the Clean up Prostate Cancer project in their recent newsletter. Several weeks ago JB encouraged me to send information about the project to the editors which I duly did, including a poster and leaflets. Locally, U3A has approx 2000 members so this was a golden chance to take a massive step forward in raising awareness of the message we are spreading. Thank you for helping us out.

The piece entitled “How is your Prostate?” picked up on a number of points I wanted to publicise -

•         In England, men over the age of 50 are entitled to request a PSA check at their local GP centre.
•         That I always carry copies of the Know your Prostate guide when I’m out collecting rubbish. Stop me and ask for one.
•          The rubbish I collect and leave bagged at the roadside is later collected by the local council, usually within 2 working days.

The U3A is a national organisation but each group runs events inspired and organised by its own members. The focus is on people who have finshed working and for me that is exactly the age group which needs to know about the potential risk of Prostate Cancer. While most us dream of a long and happy retirement it can be quite difficult to adjust to the lack of social contact and the absence of structure. Many have a grand plan for filling their time but others struggle to work out what they really want to do. The local U3A branch here offers almost 100 wide ranging activities through their groups. To find out what’s on and how to join in visit

www.u3a.org.uk

and specifically for Aughton and Ormskirk

www.aughton-ormskirk-u3a.co.uk

Pre Christmas action update

Yesterday I had to go out on an errand which took me down Northway and on to County Rd, Ormskirk. The amount of litter on the verges was appalling and I made a mental note to get down there as soon as I could. Completely unnecessary as it turns out because on my return members of the WLDC waste team were well into the task.

Earlier in the week I got an update from Conor who was out on his usual patch around Clieves Hill on the 13^th to collect 4 bags. He’s made the ultimate commitment by treating himself to a litter picker for Christmas. There’s no way back now Conor. Go for it!

I’ve been working on a section of Northway further out of town recently so I headed back there this afternoon to the area around the junction with Springfield Rd in Aughton. I was determined to go all the way to the southern border of Lancashire, only about 160 yards but I finally made to Robin’s Bridge having collected 3 bags along with miscellaneous larger items. It was a glorious afternoon, didn’t even have to wear a coat! Had a chat with Nigel who accepted a Know your Prostate leaflet. I also have another 5p to add to the pot found on the roadside.

I parked near the end of Springfield Rd where the old road used to be it allows me to pull onto the side safely. Sadly, these days it’s a rubbish blackspot, I’ve collected there before but there was at least as much again today, as illustrated. Having described all the activity removing litter I have come across this week, it is incredible how little noticeable effect we’re having. To the left is the before picture and to the right after. It is so worth it!

Bottoms up!

Got in a couple of collections this weekend on Northway, Aughton on the very edge of Lancashire. 6 bags all together but it was a frustrating time, much of the litter has been blown into the impenetrable, prickly undergrowth and sadly I left as much behind as I took. Anyone passing as I worked won’t have seen much more than my rear end as I plunged Winnie the Pooh like into the undergrowth. If you remember Pooh got stuck because he ate too much honey when visiting rabbit’s burrow!  An idea of what I was after is shown.

On a more positive note, enough people were out enjoying a break in the weather that I was able to give out 7 leaflets. It was really good to chat with Jen Sullivan whose husband, Dave, has already had treatment for precancerous prostate problems. Glad to know the potential issue has been dealt with, as you know this situation is exactly what I am aiming for by raising awareness. Jen was were interested in the project and was generous in her encouragement, it really gave me a nice boost.

Mark and Molly were walking their dog and emptied the change from their pocket which I will pass on to Prostate Cancer UK. Though much younger than most men at the age accepted for increased risk, Mark also accepted a leaflet to pass on to his Dad. I hope he has a look at it too, in this case you really do need to know in advance.

The photo, looking back to where the lorry is parked, shows most of the area I have managed to cover in 6 hours of collecting, probably no more than 300yds in total. The road is a main access route into Liverpool and a dual carriage way, it is also very exposed with wind swirling across the flat moss lands from the coast. Regarding litter it is a real gathering point, I guess I could go collecting there every day and still not manage to keep the verges entirely clear. Still the yards are a valuable addition to my 10,000 challenge total which currently stands at 7964yds of cleared roadsides.

Campaign branches out

Made a bit of a mess ordering copies of the Know your Prostate quick guide recently and ended up receiving 50 copies of this excellent booklet of the same name. It contains a wealth of information about the prostate but being A5 it is a bit cumbersome to carry around on my collections. I did not want to waste them so have spent the last few days mulling over how to put them to the best use.

Libraries are fabulous community resources, they are open to everyone at no charge. They provide access to information, self development and leisure opportunities as well as the internet. Most also have an area to promote local information and events and often include health related leaflets. I used to work in libraries and am a regular user so I know how many and varied are the visitors to branches across the county. I still have one or two contacts so I made a phone call this week and dropped them into my local library. It is all arranged and before long the leaflets will be whizzing via the internal transports for distribution to branches throughout South Lancashire. I call that a result.

November accounts - highs and lows

November accounts

6 bags collected inc 2 from Conor

3 sessions

30 leaflets handed out

1 poster

No income

A mixed bag of highs and lows for last month largely dictated by the appalling weather we’ve had in the North West of England. I started the project at the begining of the summer with the naive belief I could just pop out to gather rubbish and pass my Know your Prostate Cancer leaflets to walkers and cyclists year round. I can’t believe I failed to factor in the notorious English weather. Anyway, my focus now is to find opportunities to carry on the campaign inspite of howling winds and driving rain. At least my visit to Southport Cycle Club maintained the momentum. Thanks chaps.

Celebrations!

Great news today! Via the Macmillan PC group I've been keeping in touch with a guy who was recently diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. His PSA was similar to Tom's. I just wanted to give some support, someone to share his fears and doubts as well as offering our example of how it doesn't have to be the end of the World. The waiting has been a horrible time for him but today news came he is suitable for having his prostate removed. This treatment is not usually available when the cancer has spread beyond the gland. Yippeee. The treatment is not without its issues but it is radical, the gland is gone and can do no more damage. Just in case you don't know where this walnut sized potential time bomb is, I'm providing an illustration. It's there at the base of the bladder.

I decided to see if I could contribute in this way because when we were really struggling I found Mark on the (then) Prostate Cancer Forum. I’m sure I have mentioned him before and if I haven’t it was unforgivably remiss. Mark had the ability to say just the right thing. Guiding, reassuring, basically just believing. Sadly, Mark Kenealy died in 2012 aged just 52 but there are many many people who are very grateful he touched their life and hold him fast in their memory.

www.macmillan.org.uk offers forum style groups for all cancers where you can seek help and advice, share the dark hours and also the good stuff from and with others with your form of cancer. It is also a great place for relatives, partners and friends to get an insight into their loved one's feelings and experiences. In addition the site has medically qualified and support staff who can provide guidance in all aspects of living with cancer.

Illness, it is not just about you

Received my copy of Local Life this week, it’s a local booklet for community news in the towns and villages around Ormskirk, Lancashire. Buried on p19 was a piece about a health initiative called “Stay healthy for the ones you love”. It offers a free health check with your local doctor for all men and women aged 40-71 years who have no existing medical conditions. I really welcome this project, Tom went to see his doctor about a dodgy knee and thanks to his doctor urging him to have an overall check up we learned of his Prostate Cancer just in time. It wasn’t until after a series of tests we were told the cancer was still contained within the prostate gland and prospects for his future health were good.

That inital news was pretty overwhelming for Tom but he wasn’t the only one, the whole family was devestated. The impact for us was mainly emotional because our finances didn’t entirely depend on Tom’s income. We’d certainly miss it but we weren’t going to starve or be thrown out of our house. For people diagnosed with a serious illness who have dependents and who are providing a significant part of the household income, these are the practical nightmares to add to the emotional ones.

For yourself but also for your loved ones please do consider getting checked whether you have symptoms or not. There are many diseases which don’t surface until they have already done significant damage. Good luck.