Shock diagnosis inspires ambassador role
A cable jointer who received a shock cancer diagnosis after a routine blood test is raising awareness of the symptomless cancer that was brought to the forefront of the public’s mind after King Charles’ diagnosis.
Gary Downs, 58, from Walton on Thames, was diagnosed with prostate cancer after a routine blood test in December 2022.
Completely out of the blue, the diagnosis turned his world upside down for not just Gary, but his family and colleagues.
Gary said: “It came as a huge shock. I didn’t think for one minute that I would test positive.”
Thankfully, the following February, Gary had surgery to remove the cancer and has been in recovery ever since.
After the surgery a grueling period where he was in limbo waiting for the results – that his life depended on.
Gary said: “The hardest part was waiting for the results. I was thinking ‘Had they caught it in time, or had the cancer spread?’. Luckily, they had caught it in time, but the cancer was in both sides of my prostate, and if left untreated it would have killed me.”
His journey saw him become an ambassador for the world-leading Stokes Centre, that specialises in prostate cancer at The Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford.
Gary’s surgery was part of a record-breaking day of operations at the hospital, where nine people in total underwent prostatectomies.
He is now being invited to be part of a campaign dispelling myths surrounding prostate cancer.
Maria Innes, prostate clinical nurse specialist from the Stokes Centre at Royal Surrey County Hospital said: “It is truly remarkable hearing about Gary's recovery from his prostate cancer treatment. Recovery can be a journey requiring physical and emotional support and I am delighted to hear the ways his family was able to support him.
“I am filled with gratitude to him and his family for becoming ambassadors and raising vital funds for Prostate Cancer UK. It is a powerful way of making a difference, offering guidance and advocating for awareness of early diagnosis.
“Seeing Gary as an ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK and the Stokes Centre and sharing his experience will be a great source of strength to other men and encouragement getting checked.
“Now, over a year into his recovery his new journey comes in the form of raising as much awareness as possible for the disease and dispelling myths around it.”
Family affair:
The UK Power Networks employee from Horley, Surrey lives with his wife Jane – who works for another part of the company UK Power Networks Services at Gatwick Airport - and daughter Annalise. They will be joining him in mammoth fundraising efforts in the form of triathlons and half marathons.
Gary said: “When I decided to do a fundraiser for Prostate Cancer, I felt it had to be something very challenging. I am taking part in the Prostate Cancer UK’s 2024 Ride Across Britain, which is a 980-mile bike ride from Land’s End in Cornwall to John o’ Groats in Scotland. Whilst I am used to long distances, I have never done this amount, over such a long time. I will be cycling over 100 miles a day, for 9 days in a row! How do I feel? Terrified!”
Jane has reluctantly decided to take part in the Blenheim Palace Triathlon and the London Royal Parks Half marathon with Annalise.
Jane said: “Gary’s diagnosis came as a huge shock to our whole family, but was particularly difficult for our daughter Annalise, who was away at University in Cardiff, when we had to break the news. We have always been an incredibly close family, but if anything, this has brought us even closer.
“We decided that we wanted to support Gary with all his training, by doing a challenge of our own. We initially entered the ballot for the half marathon but were unsuccessful. However, as we wrote that we were intending to raise money for the charity, Prostate Cancer UK, contacted us, and offered all three of us, charity places. Running is my daughter’s challenge; she can currently only run 2k! So, I felt it was only fair to really challenge myself. I hate cycling. I have a bad back, so it is very painful for me. We decided that a triathlon would be a good event to throw into the mix.”
Colleagues’ camaraderie:
After working for UK Power Networks for 35 years, the diagnosis sent shockwaves across his yard - and the wider company.
Gary said: “The most positive thing to come from this so far, is that many of my colleagues, friends, neighbours, and family members, have already been to get checked.”
Lee Perkins has worked with Gary for the last 15 years and was devastated when he heard Gary had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The engineering trainees team leader said: “I was obviously very sad and shocked to hear of Gary's diagnosis, but then the good news came he was all clear and back in work.
"This made me think about my own health more and being over 60 I spoke with my doctor, and now I have now been booked in for a test.
"As soon as I saw Gary was doing the mammoth cycle ride I had to sponsor him, as have others, not a great amount but every penny counts and I encourage everyone to do the same."
Lead project manager, David Faulkner, said: “To be really honest, Gary’s diagnosis frightened me, only being in my mid-fifties. I know Gary personally and know that he is a very fit individual who didn’t show any signs that he had prostate cancer, which made me worry about myself.
“I immediately made an appointment for a PSA blood test and was seen within a week of making the online appointment. Then I had that wait where you hope for the best but fear the worst. Then I looked on my NHS app and saw that my results were really good and then had that ‘wow’ feeling. I will make sure that I get myself checked out whenever I feel the need.”
Prostate Cancer UK director of fundraising, Chris Jarrett, said: “Gary’s story illustrates just why more men need to be aware of the risk of prostate cancer. Men are at higher risk if they are over 50, Black or have a father or brother who has had prostate cancer. Anyone with concerns should visit the charity’s online risk checker.
“We’re so grateful for the support of Gary and his family raising vital funds and awareness for Prostate Cancer UK.
“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, and an early diagnosis can save your life. Money raised will fund ground-breaking research towards a screening programme, so we can catch prostate cancer early and save lives.
The lowdown:
Prostate cancer affects one in eight men in the UK. That’s thousands of dads, grandads, partners, brothers, uncles, sons and mates.
Sadly over 12,000 men die every year from prostate cancer. But it does not have to be like this. Prostate cancer is often treatable if caught early so it’s incredibly important for men and those who love them to know about prostate cancer and understand their risk.
If you are over 50, Black, or your dad or brother has had prostate cancer, you have an increased risk and may want to speak to your GP.
To find out more about your risk, or that of your partner, father or friend, visit Prostate Cancer UK’s website and try the charity’s 30-second online risk checker
Find Gary's fundraiser here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/gary-downs-1705159953273?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fgary-downs-1705159953273&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share
Published: 05/06/24
Gary Downs, 58, from Walton on Thames, was diagnosed with prostate cancer after a routine blood test in December 2022.
Completely out of the blue, the diagnosis turned his world upside down for not just Gary, but his family and colleagues.
Gary said: “It came as a huge shock. I didn’t think for one minute that I would test positive.”
Thankfully, the following February, Gary had surgery to remove the cancer and has been in recovery ever since.
After the surgery a grueling period where he was in limbo waiting for the results – that his life depended on.
Gary said: “The hardest part was waiting for the results. I was thinking ‘Had they caught it in time, or had the cancer spread?’. Luckily, they had caught it in time, but the cancer was in both sides of my prostate, and if left untreated it would have killed me.”
His journey saw him become an ambassador for the world-leading Stokes Centre, that specialises in prostate cancer at The Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford.
Gary’s surgery was part of a record-breaking day of operations at the hospital, where nine people in total underwent prostatectomies.
He is now being invited to be part of a campaign dispelling myths surrounding prostate cancer.
Maria Innes, prostate clinical nurse specialist from the Stokes Centre at Royal Surrey County Hospital said: “It is truly remarkable hearing about Gary's recovery from his prostate cancer treatment. Recovery can be a journey requiring physical and emotional support and I am delighted to hear the ways his family was able to support him.
“I am filled with gratitude to him and his family for becoming ambassadors and raising vital funds for Prostate Cancer UK. It is a powerful way of making a difference, offering guidance and advocating for awareness of early diagnosis.
“Seeing Gary as an ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK and the Stokes Centre and sharing his experience will be a great source of strength to other men and encouragement getting checked.
“Now, over a year into his recovery his new journey comes in the form of raising as much awareness as possible for the disease and dispelling myths around it.”
Family affair:
The UK Power Networks employee from Horley, Surrey lives with his wife Jane – who works for another part of the company UK Power Networks Services at Gatwick Airport - and daughter Annalise. They will be joining him in mammoth fundraising efforts in the form of triathlons and half marathons.
Gary said: “When I decided to do a fundraiser for Prostate Cancer, I felt it had to be something very challenging. I am taking part in the Prostate Cancer UK’s 2024 Ride Across Britain, which is a 980-mile bike ride from Land’s End in Cornwall to John o’ Groats in Scotland. Whilst I am used to long distances, I have never done this amount, over such a long time. I will be cycling over 100 miles a day, for 9 days in a row! How do I feel? Terrified!”
Jane has reluctantly decided to take part in the Blenheim Palace Triathlon and the London Royal Parks Half marathon with Annalise.
Jane said: “Gary’s diagnosis came as a huge shock to our whole family, but was particularly difficult for our daughter Annalise, who was away at University in Cardiff, when we had to break the news. We have always been an incredibly close family, but if anything, this has brought us even closer.
“We decided that we wanted to support Gary with all his training, by doing a challenge of our own. We initially entered the ballot for the half marathon but were unsuccessful. However, as we wrote that we were intending to raise money for the charity, Prostate Cancer UK, contacted us, and offered all three of us, charity places. Running is my daughter’s challenge; she can currently only run 2k! So, I felt it was only fair to really challenge myself. I hate cycling. I have a bad back, so it is very painful for me. We decided that a triathlon would be a good event to throw into the mix.”
Colleagues’ camaraderie:
After working for UK Power Networks for 35 years, the diagnosis sent shockwaves across his yard - and the wider company.
Gary said: “The most positive thing to come from this so far, is that many of my colleagues, friends, neighbours, and family members, have already been to get checked.”
Lee Perkins has worked with Gary for the last 15 years and was devastated when he heard Gary had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The engineering trainees team leader said: “I was obviously very sad and shocked to hear of Gary's diagnosis, but then the good news came he was all clear and back in work.
"This made me think about my own health more and being over 60 I spoke with my doctor, and now I have now been booked in for a test.
"As soon as I saw Gary was doing the mammoth cycle ride I had to sponsor him, as have others, not a great amount but every penny counts and I encourage everyone to do the same."
Lead project manager, David Faulkner, said: “To be really honest, Gary’s diagnosis frightened me, only being in my mid-fifties. I know Gary personally and know that he is a very fit individual who didn’t show any signs that he had prostate cancer, which made me worry about myself.
“I immediately made an appointment for a PSA blood test and was seen within a week of making the online appointment. Then I had that wait where you hope for the best but fear the worst. Then I looked on my NHS app and saw that my results were really good and then had that ‘wow’ feeling. I will make sure that I get myself checked out whenever I feel the need.”
Prostate Cancer UK director of fundraising, Chris Jarrett, said: “Gary’s story illustrates just why more men need to be aware of the risk of prostate cancer. Men are at higher risk if they are over 50, Black or have a father or brother who has had prostate cancer. Anyone with concerns should visit the charity’s online risk checker.
“We’re so grateful for the support of Gary and his family raising vital funds and awareness for Prostate Cancer UK.
“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, and an early diagnosis can save your life. Money raised will fund ground-breaking research towards a screening programme, so we can catch prostate cancer early and save lives.
The lowdown:
Prostate cancer affects one in eight men in the UK. That’s thousands of dads, grandads, partners, brothers, uncles, sons and mates.
Sadly over 12,000 men die every year from prostate cancer. But it does not have to be like this. Prostate cancer is often treatable if caught early so it’s incredibly important for men and those who love them to know about prostate cancer and understand their risk.
If you are over 50, Black, or your dad or brother has had prostate cancer, you have an increased risk and may want to speak to your GP.
To find out more about your risk, or that of your partner, father or friend, visit Prostate Cancer UK’s website and try the charity’s 30-second online risk checker
Find Gary's fundraiser here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/gary-downs-1705159953273?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fgary-downs-1705159953273&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share
Published: 05/06/24