Friday, June 13th, 6pm. It was a dark and cold night, but not stormy. Soup bouquets swirled through the Thistles clubhouse, mixing with the nostril-twinging aroma of Goanna Oil.
The under-13 girls are out on the pitch, the middle-aged blokes are warming up, and locals are on their way to Walk for Him, raising awareness and sponsorship for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. This is the third year your Men’s Shed has joined the Thistles Soccer Club and other Australians to walk, talk, and bring to people's attention that prostate cancer is detectable, treatable, and survivable.
We trundle up Hay Street, the four kids with us banging and clanging their percussion instruments. To the duckpond, round and round, and onto the wharf. Three waterhens squawked in protest, but the frogs seemed happy. Then through the bush, up Walker Street, stopping a few times to tell a tall story, past Frank the miner, and back to the clubhouse.
Then the walkers and any soccer players around got into the soup! There’s little better on a cold night than a warm mug of broth in your hands. Your writer got a chance to speak to the players after their games (Thistles won them both!), and some great conversations were had, encouraging men to consider their health and to get that test done.
The Men’s Shed team’s target was $3000; we raised $5096! Vital funds for lifesaving research projects and increased support services for blokes and their families, making a real difference. The total raised this year by PCFA was $389,590, and 22,650km was walked!
And here are the main things you should know about prostate cancer: it’s the most survivable cancer if detected early. It happens, and not just to older men. Detection is easy, through a simple PSA blood test. And excellent support is available through the PCFA.
Please, be a man and get tested!
We would like to thank the Thistles for their generous use of their clubhouse, Helensburgh Hot Bread Shop for their yummy rolls, Kerrie Blackwell (Helensburgh Help: our Facebook fave), the soup-makers of the Burgh, and all the generous sponsors who gave selflessly to enable PCFA’s work to continue. We particularly thank Mark Bray for his substantial donation, and Helensburgh Car Services for donating $1000 to the cause.
Well done, everyone.