Prostate Cancer Rally

07/06/2024

“Just get checked”

This warrior is Mal. 💪

He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in January this year. 👎

“I underwent a PSA test not really knowing what it was all about. 🤔

“My PSA level came back at a whopping 330 and I was diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer. 😓

“I have a family history of breast and prostate cancers and like many blokes, had a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude when it came to getting check-ups. 🙃

“I also have a history of urinary tract infections and would get one maybe every year. The doctors would tell me every time that they want to do further testing but I would just think, I’ll take the antibiotics and be all good. 👩‍⚕️

“In early January I had another infection but it was getting serious, so I took myself to the hospital. 🤕

“They got a catheter in to relieve the pressure and suspected an issue with my gallbladder, but sent me off to another hospital for more specialist testing. 😢

“That’s when the PSA score came back, and they also found my kidneys were functioning at 8 percent of what they should be. 🥺

“I’ve got cancer in the prostate of course, and also in my bones, pelvis, right shoulder and spine. 🤕

“The doctors and medical team around me have been amazing and I started on a drug trial four weeks ago. 🙌

“The hormone injections have had some scary side effects but I am managing things, and I feel incredibly bolstered by the support of those around me. 🥰

“The support of family and friends is so important. Wellbeing, pain management and low PSA levels are my core focus at the moment – and having a good quality of life. 👏

“Prevention is better than the cure. Just get checked, seriously.” 💯💙

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. We’re with you all the way Mal. ❤️✊

👉 👉 www.walkforhim.org.au

21/03/2024

Finally made it to the coast (Frazer Coast that is). Been a great week planning the course for the rally in September. Here’s a few shots from the last couple of days as we made our way east from Longreach. We hit the coast at Seventeen Seventy then headed south.

18/03/2024

Had another great day surveying roads for the Prostate Cancer Rally. Found a heap of old machinery at Ilfracombe, found a Jumbo Jet at Longreach and found a dinosaur at Winton. Also arranged a Sunset Cruise and Dinner under the stars for our evening meal in Longreach

18/03/2024

Hey guys can I ask a favour?
Can you all please go to this FB post and share it?
We need to get more peeps along in September. It’s going to be a great trip. Remember 100% of your fundraising goes directly to Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia

https://www.facebook.com/share/nxRKEmAbmMZMke35/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Rally for Prostate Cancer Research. Sept 1st to 8th 2024 Bourke to the Bay Fundraising 100% of all funds raised go direct to the Prostate Cancer Foundation Read More 2024 RALLY Prostate Cancer Rally 2024 Trip Details – Bourke to the Bay (Hervey) Read More Vehicles If you have a full size 4WD vehic...

17/03/2024

Today’s highlights included the Historic Wool Scourer at Blackall, a quick visit to Tambo, the Barcaldine man-made Ski Park, and a thousand bugs splattered on the windscreen

16/03/2024

Another big day on the roads. Found washed out roads, roads that no longer exist, luxury spa baths fed by artesian basin bores, church altars inlaid with pure Opal boulders, camel meat on special, and some great country hospitality

15/03/2024

Ross and Peter are enjoying the balmy conditions in outback Queensland laying out the course for this year’s Prostate Cancer Rally. Today was Bourke to Cunnamulla via Hungerford. There’s still time to enter the event. Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia

26/01/2024

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s National Chairman, Adjunct Associate Professor Steve Callister, has today been named a Member in the Order of Australia. 🎖️

The prestigious recognition has been announced by Australia’s Governor-General as part of the Australia Day 2024 Honours List.

The award recognises the Chairman’s service to PCFA and men impacted by prostate cancer, as well as his contribution to business. 💙

Steve has been involved in the work of PCFA since 2005, following his diagnosis in 2004.

Beginning as a Support Group convenor, he was appointed Chairman of the charity’s Marketing and Fundraising Committee in 2009, rising to the role of Deputy National Chairman in 2015 before taking on the responsibility of National Chairman in 2018. 👏🏼

Steve will also become the inaugural Chair of PCFA’s Future Fund Committee, which will oversee our strategy to significantly boost funding for prostate cancer research between now and 2030.

Our congratulations to a hard working Chairman and great advocate for Australian men and families impacted by prostate cancer. ❤️

26/01/2024

Congratulations to Adjunct Associate Professor Stephen Callister, the National Chairman of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) who was awarded Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in today’s Australia Day Honours List. Stephen has been a great supporter of our Rally since the beginning.

04/01/2024

Registrations are NOW OPEN for the 2024 Prostate Cancer Rally proudly supporting the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. Click here for more info https://prostatecancerrally.com.au/2024-rally/

Rally for Prostate Cancer Research. Sept 1st to 8th 2024 Bourke to the Bay Fundraising 100% of all funds raised go direct to the Prostate Cancer Foundation Read More 2024 RALLY Prostate Cancer Rally 2024 Trip Details – Bourke to the Bay (Hervey) Read More Vehicles If you have a full size 4WD vehic...

12/09/2023

This champion is Glenn. 😊

“These days I tell people that I’ve cheated cancer,” he says. 💪

“I was diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier this year, at age 47, without having a single symptom. 😯

“I’d gone to the doc for my annual health check and my PSA came back high. 😬

“The doc sent me to see the urologist and he ordered a scan and a few other tests, and the biopsy came back positive. 👎

“I had surgery on May 8 this year. I went in preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. I’m just glad to be in a country where we’ve got the best researchers and treatment in the world. 💯

“Thankfully I got lucky – the cancer was contained within the prostate and they got it all. 😀🙏

“If I’d left that PSA test until I was 50, who knows what would have happened. 💙

“I’m on the road to recovery now after taking some time off from running my own business. ✊

“Now that I’m getting back into shape, I decided I wanted to give this thing some recognition, joining The Long Run to help raise awareness and funds – my eight-year-old daughter is doing the 72kms with me. ❤️

“My second PSA test post-surgery is on Wednesday and I’m hoping zero is my hero. 👊

“I’ll be smashing out a few ks to help put it behind me – in solidarity with all the other guys out there who’ve been diagnosed.” 💙

If anyone wants proof that prostate cancer isn't just an old man's disease, this is it. Glenn - big cheers for being a hero and a champion mate, we appreciate it. 🙌

🏃 www.thelongrun.org.au 🏃

02/09/2023

Reminds me of a stormy night back in 2022 traveling from White Cliffs to Tibooburra

06/06/2023

This is Geoff Blake, known as Blakey to his friends. ☺️

He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in October last year and had a radical prostatectomy in December. 🤕

“I was unlike many other men, in that I had symptoms, with blood in my urine,” he says. 😬

“I’d been having routine PSA tests for years, so when a check-up found that my PSA had climbed to 6.8, we knew there was a concern. 😯

“The biopsy soon determined it was aggressive and fast-growing, and surgery was deemed to be the most viable option for treating it. 🤞🏼

“Even after my surgery, my first PSA test came back at 16, so I started hormone therapy straight away, with scans confirming some spread to my ribs and spine. 👎🏼

“In talking to other men I’ve found we’re all on different treatments and many of them are finely tuned, based on our cancers. 👍🏼

“I consider myself very lucky because I’ve received timely treatment and haven’t had any major side-effects from the hormone therapy. 🙏🏼

“My partner Jill and family have been fantastic in their support. 🥰

“While it’s hard to give anyone else advice, I recommend getting regular PSA tests and for all of us to keep focusing on research. 💯

“I’ve spoken to many men like me who are getting treatments that weren’t available five years ago, which gives us confidence that before too long we’ll have ways to beat it for good. 🙌🏼

“That’s my current goal. My PSA is now 0.2, so I am on the right path.” 💙

When the going gets tough, the tough get … tougher. Cheers to you Sir Geoffrey Blake. ❤️



www.perfectmatch.org.au

02/06/2023

This is a story you need to read. 💙

In August last year, Luke got a sore throat that he couldn’t shake. He was 42 at the time. 🤔

“Like most men, I don’t often go to the doctor, but I was really over it and thought I would just go and see my GP to get some antibiotics to get rid of it,” he says. 👍🏼

“After the doc diagnosed my throat infection and prescribed antibiotics, he asked if my blood tests were up to date. 🤷🏼‍♂️

“I thought they were and said ‘yes, you sent me for a test a few months ago’. The thing he did next probably saved my life – he checked my record and got out his pathology referral pad. ‘Luke, I just checked and that last blood test was 18 months ago, it’s time for another one.’ He included a PSA test, something I later discovered isn’t always offered until guys are 50 years old. 🎯

“My PSA was 2.4, and the range on the pathology report for my age was an upper limit of 2.3. As I was just over, my GP referred me to a Urologist. 👏🏼

“Between the PSA test and the diagnosis I had an MRI, PSMA PET/CT and finally a biopsy. 😬

“That process took over two months, so I had plenty of time to worry about what the diagnosis could be. That period was the hardest. Prostate cancer occupied my mind almost every waking minute of every day, so by the time I was actually diagnosed I had already played it out hundreds of times in my head, and strangely, maybe that helped when the diagnosis eventuated. ✊🏼

“At age 42 I was told the best option was a prostatectomy. I had around six weeks until the surgery, which sounds like a long time, but it wasn’t, especially at Christmas time. I was busy with work, had a family holiday planned to Fiji, the kids had school Christmas concerts and end-of-year activities – it was full on. 😐

“My anxiety levels built as the surgery date got closer – December 21. I had to be at the hospital at 6:30am. My wife Amy drove us, as I couldn’t do it. I sat in the car with my sunnies on. Focus on my breathing – that’s all I had to do. Then my eyes started to well up with tears. I hadn’t cried until now, for months I was so strong and in control but that was changing, I was about to go in for the operation and my life would be in the hands of the surgeon and his team. 🙏🏼

“The surgery and the initial six-week recovery isn’t the ‘end’ of it unfortunately. While I was lucky that all the cancer was contained within the prostate, there are other issues to deal with, both physically and mentally. 🤕

“Sometimes I forget that I really am very lucky, lucky it was caught so early, because not all men have that fortune. I try to think of it that way whenever I feel like life has dealt me a bad hand.” ❤️

May the force be with you Luke. We certainly are mate. 💙

P.S. Folks, you can find Luke’s page for our Men’s Health Week campaign here 👉🏼 www.perfectmatch.org.au ✊🏼

29/05/2023

This was Craig’s Hut last Friday. Lucky we changed our trip to February (for this exact reason)

09/04/2023

Apparently it was -1 degrees at the top of Blue Rag Trig this morning. A bit colder than when we were there 6 weeks ago

21/03/2023

Prostate Cancer Rally 2023: Victorian High Country... Ross's Photos Part 3! What a wonderful collection of memories of what was a truly amazing experience!

21/03/2023

Prostate Cancer Rally 2023: Victorian High Country... Ross's Photos Part 2! What a wonderful collection of memories of what was a truly amazing experience!

21/03/2023

Prostate Cancer Rally 2023: Victorian High Country... Ross's Photos! What a wonderful collection of memories of what was a truly amazing experience!

08/03/2023

It was great to see that while in Mansfield we were able to start some meaningful conversations with the local community

05/03/2023

Day 7 Friday 24th Feb: Mansfield to Wodonga. Some got there faster than others! But a fun awards night was had by all. Many thanks to Pete & Trish and Ross & Chris for all of their hard work and organisation of the trip and their help to get us home. To Brad & Doug for their perseverance and efforts of expertise at trying to fix our unfixable cars. To Michael & Marguarete for their guidance around those mountainous tracks and rocky roads and to all of you who came along with us for being great companions for the week and especially for the love and support on that last day when we really needed it. Hugely appreciate everyone’s kindness that day, can’t wait till the next trip when Paul and I will be travelling around on skateboards (They are impossible to overheat! …..well, hopefully they are !

Also HUGE thanks to Hema Maps and KEA Motorhomes Australia for their proud support of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia

05/03/2023

Day 6 Thursday 23rd Feb Post 2: Mansfield to Mansfield. On top of the world today! Well, it felt like it as we explored the summit of Mount Stirling. Every direction was a watercolour painting. Beautifully read poetry inside Craig’s Hut and hungry horses joining our picnic. and so many gorgeous snowgums! Many thanks to Hema Maps and KEA Motorhomes Australia for proudly supporting the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia

04/03/2023

Day 5 Wednesday 22nd Feb Post 3: Myrtleford to Mansfield Vic high country. After a hearty breakfast at Ruby’s Café in Myrtleford there was plenty of water fun today including the waterfall that never was! Many Thanks to Hema Maps and KEA Motorhomes Australia for proudly supporting the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia

04/03/2023

Day 6 Thursday 23rd Feb Post 2: Mansfield to Mansfield. On top of the world today! Well, it felt like it as we explored the summit of Mount Stirling. Every direction was a watercolour painting. Beautifully read poetry inside Craig’s Hut and hungry horses joining our picnic and so many gorgeous snowgums! Many Thanks to Hema Maps and KEA Motorhomes Australia for proudly supporting the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia

04/03/2023

Day 6 Thursday 23rd Feb Post 1: Mansfield to Mansfield. On top of the world today! Well, it felt like it as we explored the summit of Mount Stirling. Every direction was a watercolour painting. Beautifully read poetry inside Craig’s Hut and hungry horses joining our picnic and so many gorgeous snowgums! Many Thanks to Hema Maps and KEA Motorhomes Australia for proudly supporting the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia

04/03/2023

Day 5 Wednesday 22nd Feb Post 4 :Myrtleford to Mansfield Vic high country. After a hearty breakfast at Ruby’s Café in Myrtleford there was plenty of water fun today including the waterfall that never was! Many Thanks to HHema Mapsand KKEA Motorhomes Australia for proudly supporting the PProstate Cancer Foundation of Australia

04/03/2023

Day 5 Wednesday 22nd Feb Post 2: Myrtleford to Mansfield Vic high country. After a hearty breakfast at Ruby’s Café in Myrtleford there was plenty of water fun today including the waterfall that never was! Many thanks to Hema Maps and KEA Motorhomes Australia for proudly supporting the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia