A team of nine people will soon reach the finish line of Prostate Cymru's Walk of Wales.
The 1,000-mile, 44-day gruelling feat aims to raise awareness as well as £300,000 to fund six specialist nurses across Wales.
The team set out from Cardiff on 27 June. Walking the full circumference of Wales, they have been walking around 23 miles each day and are due to embark on their final stretch – from Rodney Parade in Newport to Cardiff Arms Park, home of Cardiff rugby – on Sunday 9 August where they will be met by rugby legend and Prostate Cymru ambassador, Sir Gareth Edwards.
Joining the team of nine are a host of Welsh rugby stars. Alex Cuthbert, Josh Navidi, Rhys Priestland, Lloyd Williams and Ellis Jenkins are all set to lace up their walking boots for the charity, supporting the fundraising effort on its final leg.
Along the 44-day route, Prostate Cymru has organised awareness talks and PSA testing events.
And in Newport on the 8 August, local men can get tested for prostate cancer at Rodney Parade. The PSA testing event is available to men aged 50 or over – or 45 or over if you have a family history of prostate cancer. Black men over the age of 45 are also strongly encouraged to attend as one in four Black men develops prostate cancer.
Andy Thomas – Chair of Prostate Cymru and a recently retired consultant urologist – is leading the challenge and said:
“With each step, we want to raise awareness, inspire men to get tested, and fund vital support for families affected by this disease. We're aiming to fund six specialist cancer nurses so we can improve patient outcomes and enhance the quality of life for men and their families across the nation.
“I'd really urge men to sign up to our testing event as prostate cancer in the early stage often doesn't have any symptoms.
“We're already raised more than £200,000 so please donate and do your bit to help those with prostate disease in Wales.”
The funding into the NHS will mean that men facing prostate disease get personalised support and expert care close to home. The first appointment of a specialist nurse has been made.
Rebecca Boyd takes up the role of Trainee Surgical Care Practitioner post in the Urology department at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. The appointment at the Royal Gwent Hospital marks a major step forward in strengthening regional healthcare capacity and improving support for urology patients.
The appointment comes at a crucial time as the urology department at the Royal Gwent Hospital continues to expand its state-of-the-art robotic surgery programme. This means that surgeons are able to perform complex procedures with enhanced precision, smaller incisions, reduced recovery times and improved patient outcomes.
Rebecca says:
“Prostate Cymru's investment in education and workforce development is helping to strengthen urological services and improve care for patients across Wales. Every fundraising event and donation makes opportunities like this possible.”
