Six years ago, well-known Port Macquarie businessman Michael Reid listened to his wife’s advice to get unexplained pains checked out by a doctor. It saved his life.
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Now, Michael has been named ambassador for the Cancer Council’s Hastings Relay For Life, and he is urging others to also be proactive in screening for cancer.
The Hastings Relay For Life is to be held May 19-20 at Oxley Oval in Port Macquarie, where participants join together to walk laps of the oval for 24 hours to raise funds for cancer research and support services.
As ambassador for the event, Michael is encouraging teams and individuals to register online through www.relayforlife.org.au/hastings
The popular Port Macquarie businessman and athlete’s own cancer journey began five years ago.
A persistent ache had developed in Michael’s groin, which he put down to spending many hours behind the wheel of his car for work. But his wife of many years, Sue, knew better, and urged her husband to go to the doctor to get it checked out.
He was told he had prostate cancer, news that was difficult to absorb, but made much easier by having Sue by his side.
Michael began a gruelling schedule of hormone treatment and radiotherapy five days a week for nine weeks. But this didn’t stop him from continuing to train for the Western Australia Ironman competition, something Michael says gave him focus and helped him maintain a positive outlook.
“It was tiring and I was a bit slower, but it was absolutely the best thing ever. If you’re going to sit and feel sorry for yourself I believe your result won’t be as good as you’d like,” he said.
Michael’s positive outlook was despite losing his own father to cancer seven years earlier, a loss that had sparked his first involvement as a participant in Cancer Council NSW Relay For Life.
In May this year, Michael and his family were given the news they’d all been waiting to hear: he was officially clear of cancer.
Michael said it was now his aim to encourage people, especially males over the age of 40, to make sure they undertake regular screening for cancer.
“Men tend to not focus as much on their health, but I’d encourage them listen when they’re encouraged to get checked out, begin getting tested so your GP can keep an eye on things,” he said.
The Relay ambassador said his own involvement with the event had been emotional but extremely worthwhile.
“It is a day and night that brings together like-minded people and supporters, and the likelihood of finding and meeting a great deal more people. The awareness it raises in the community is enormous and a great help to those living with cancer,” he said.
