Rochdale 10K Run 2023 – Football v Prostate Cancer Appeal
Former Dale player and Director of our Community Trust for many years Keith Hicks is taking part in the Rochdale 10K run this year supporting the Football V Prostate Cancer Appeal, and he has a really good reason to be doing so!
Some years ago, pre the pandemic the Trust was instrumental in assisting the Barry Kilby Prostate Cancer Testing Day organised by the club and supported by the Trust, it was to prove a game changer for some men and raised awareness in many more, amongst those of us that got tested was Keith Hicks, one of our own!
Below is an image for those who may forget what Keith’s, erm, “Rugged Image” looked like in the day
Currently, Prostate Cancer is the most common form of cancer for men with one in eight affected and over 50’s at a higher risk. It is advisable that men over 50 should go down to the local GP surgery for a blood test, it’s quick and easy, it’s called a PSA test and you can read more about it HERE on the trust site
Now, Keith will be taking part in the Rochdale 10K run on Sunday 8th October to raise funds and awareness for The Barry Kilby Prostate Appeal and Prostate Cancer UK, two fantastic organisations involved in cancer research.
Two organisations that the trust has supported and to which if Keith had not been tested by then just maybe the following could not have been written!
He’s involved in the three professional clubs he’s been connected with for over 50 years namely Rochdale, Hereford and Oldham Athletic, He is not competing presently in the EFL (English Football League) but has high hopes for the future, (even as a 69-year-old!)!!
Keith’s Storey
Keith as we said, only found out about Prostate Cancer when taking part in a Barry Kilby Prostate Cancer Appeal PSA testing day at a Rochdale AFC home match back in 2019 as the Community Trust Manager, feeling it was appropriate to attend, especially as Keith Hill, Rochdale’s manager at the time was there as well.
He was informed that there were no issues from that test but following a second PSA test the following season was diagnosed with a Gleason 6 Prostate Cancer, which really knocked him for six.
Since then, he’s been receiving treatment by the NHS with actions including three monthly assessments now down to half yearly to reassure that everything is fine.
Keith reports that he is really glad that he took part in the PSA Testing as he would be walking around unaware of his condition, not receiving the present attention but now looking to the future in a better frame of mind.
Over the many years he’s been involved with the Club’s Football in the Community Trust, they have regularly been involved in events that benefit Charities including the Manchester 10K Run, Rochdale 10K Run, run from Rochdale to Oldham Athletic, walk to Accrington Stanley, bike ride to Bradford City raising thousands for The Christie Foundation, Macmillan Cancer Support, Rochdale Supporters Trust, Factor 50 Cancer Research (Ernie Cooksey) The Geoff Thomas Foundation, Team Ellis (Ellis Robinson)
Sixty-nine-year-old young Keith won’t be looking to break any records but the aim is to raise awareness for these two important charities and to complete the run without stopping/walking or crawling to prove that senior citizens can still be active especially after a negative PSA test, be positive like Keith and if nothing else get tested..
To make a donation or for more information, search these websites:
www.the-bkpca.com and www.prostatecanceruk.org
Finally, to all men 50 plus, to the families of blokes over 50 and to friends of blokes over 50, please urge them to get the test, it’s dead simple and will save lives, improve quality of lives and is a game changer.
Read more about it HERE