Dodd’s Pharmacy Joins The Long Run

September is International Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and one local pharmacy has jumped into the cause with both feet.

Sean Dodd from John Dodd Pharmacy said that they had wanted to get involved in a lot more community-based activities and awareness events and the Prostate Cancer Long Run seemed a good fit.

“It was the first cab off the rank and it fits perfectly,” Mr Dodd said.

“With the work we do with St Vincent’s Private Hospital, we became aware of just how many men there are in the area who are dealing with prostate cancer.”

“It’s something we just don’t talk about; the patients don’t want to talk about it.”

The long run also seemed like a good way to get everyone up and active, according to Mr Dodd, particularly during the lockdown period.

This year’s challenge is for participants to run 72km in support of men living with prostate cancer and their families.

“Running and jogging kilometres by yourself was something we could do during lockdown,” he said.

One in six Aussie men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is working towards a 99 per cent recovery rate by 2024, with the majority of the money donated to them going to research.

The Griffith Prostate Cancer Support Group has provided fliers and various paraphernalia for a display at John Dodd Pharmacy for anyone who would like a little more information on the subject.

The facilitator for the group, Barry Maples said they would love to get a Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse for the area. These nurses are specifically trained to work with prostate cancer patients. There are currently 87 such nurses working throughout Australian hospitals, with health care experts confirming a 60 per cent reduction in emergency department visits, a 56 per cent reduction in specialist consultation times and a 63 per cent reduction in the rate of missed medical appointments as a result.

This year also marks 25 years of research and support from the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

• Topics:

• Health & Wellbeing
• Fundraiser