A Family Matter
A nurse at Southmead Hospital is taking part in this year’s Run for the Future so that her 15 year old son might have a chance of a life without fear.
Julie Martin’s son Aaron underwent an operation last November to remove a brain tumour, but she’s worried he could be a risk from prostate cancer when he reaches middle age because of their family history.
As a nurse in the urology department, Julie has seen many patients with the disease, which claims of the lives of more than 10,000 men in the UK every year – including her own father, who died from it five years ago.
“Aaron has already come through so much and by supporting Run for the Future I’m hoping he can have a future without fear,” she says. “As my father died from prostate cancer, there’s a greater chance Aaron could get it, so it’s vital we find a better way of testing for the disease.”
Run for the Future, now in its fourth year, is sponsored by Spire Hospital and takes place on the Downs in Bristol on Sunday, 20 September.
The first three events have raised over £130,000, money which is being used to fund research into earlier diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. It’s hoped it could result in a national screening programme within five years.
Julie has also roped in the whole family to take part next month – including her sister and two brothers and their families – to make a team of 16. Aaron, who has just celebrated his 15th birthday, will also be going round the 5km course with a number of his friends.
“The next generation needs our help,” says Julie. “Until there is a national screening programme, just as there is for breast cancer, men will continue to die needlessly. I remember the names of the patients who have passed through my care. We can’t do anything for them, but families can do something for the men in their lives now.”
The Evening Post captured a picture of Julie and her 'team'.
