Running for Dad!
A Gloucestershire family will be taking part in a charity run next month in aid of prostate cancer - and they’re doing it all for their Dad!
Kirsty Parsons, who lives in Charfield, near Wotton-under-Edge, will be joined by her mum, brother and two sisters in a Run for the Future on Sunday, 16 September.
The 5km run takes place on the Downs in Bristol to raise awareness of prostate cancer and to help fund vital research into the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Kirsty says the whole family decided to take part after her father, Derek, was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the end of last year – but it was only by chance it was discovered.
“Dad was in hospital in July last year with kidney stones, but was still having problems a few months later, so the hospital decided to test for an enlarged prostate. In December we were told he had prostate cancer – it was a shock that we weren’t expecting,” she said.
“Every man of a certain age, approximately 60, should be offered a simple test and if taking part in Run for the Future helps raise some money and raise awareness so more men can be diagnosed and treated quickly, then that’s great,” said Kirsty.
Prostate cancer affects more than 30,000 men a year and around 14,000 die from the disease. Proceeds from Run for the Future go to the BUI Bristol Prostate Cancer Appeal.
Event co-ordinator and Rotarian, Ian Beattie, says the 2007 run is a fun event for everyone in the South West whose lives have been affected by prostate cancer, with particular emphasis on families, including children and grandparents!
“Run for the Future is about providing hope – for the men who suffer from the disease and for their families,” he says.
For further information, or to participate in the event, visit the website at www.runforthefuture.org or phone the Run for the Future office on 0117 9596328 for a Registration form.
Pic shows (l-r) The Parsons Family Back Row: Kirsty, brother Chris and sisters Michelle and Sue. Front Row: Mum Margaret and Dad Derek.
