A GRANDDAD from Smallfield who is trekking to the South Pole after surviving three different forms of cancer has launched a blog to keep a record his journey.
Patrick McIntosh, 58, of Dowlands Lane, was diagnosed with the three cancers all within 13 months of each other, beginning with bowel cancer in May 2012. He was later diagnosed with prostate and skin cancer.
He will be regularly blogging about his journey to the South Pole (which starts on December 29) using the Surrey Mirror website and below is his first entry:
My Mad Cap Adventure to the South Pole, by Patrick McIntosh
I'm an adventurer at heart; my friends and family always say I'm mad but I can't help constantly looking out for my next challenge. I've climbed, skied and toured the Alps for many years, I spent the most amazing and challenging 17 days sailing across the Atlantic from Gran Canaria to St Lucia in 2010 and I'm a keen cyclist, having done the London to Brighton bike ride more than 25 times along with more charitable bike rides around the UK and Ireland than I can remember.
Then, 18 months ago I undertook a slightly different challenge: I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with my nephew. This was after my diagnosis of bowel and skin cancer, and after surgery on my bowels, muscles and lymph glands. At this stage I was not aware that my prostate would also be removed along with a variety of other bits and pieces.
I did this trip simply because it was there and I needed some goal to recover my life in the crazy thought that lightning would not only strike once, but three times!
Many people ask me why I didn't raise money during these challenges, with the honest answer being that the thought didn't even cross my mind…I did it just for the doing of it, for the challenge, because there's a huge world out there to experience! I have also never been sure about asking since I know we are all so generous in our giving.
But now, at the age of 58, I am going to attempt to walk the last 2 degrees to the South Pole. Through this expedition I will be supporting three causes that are close to my heart:
Bowel Cancer UK: Bowel cancer is the second largest early death killer but this is only the case because, like me, we are all completely ignorant of the signs and symptoms. This challenge will be undertaken in the memory of a good friend of mine, Gary Williams. He was also diagnosed with bowel cancer at around the same time and a similar age to me but passed away earlier this year on August 10.
Prostate Cancer UK: Four in five men at higher than average risk aren't aware of the danger of prostate cancer, and may miss out of diagnosis. The excellent work of PCUK supports men, provides information, finds answers by funding research and aims to lead change in order to raise awareness and improve care.
The Voice of the Listener and the Viewer: Public service broadcasting is probably everybody's greatest source of unbiased information on the radio and television but in 2016 the license fee has to be re-negotiated. However, no political party wishes to discuss the issue because they all know it is a graveyard (excuse the pun!), so I am setting out to spark a debate on the subject; where else can the UK enjoy unbiased, informed debate on issues of the day such as public health? I believe without it the incidence of early death cancer, ill-health and higher costs to the National Health Service are inevitable through the inability to spread awareness.
I intend to use this blog to keep a record of my preparations and my journey, and invite you to support me and follow me along the way
Please also follow me on social media:
@KMGfoundation and www.facebook.com/KMGfoundation
