The Carlisle United official website has been pushing for Cumbrians to get involved in Cancer Research’s Race for Life in the city at the end of the month.
Three senior men on the football side at the club have had their own individual battles with cancer and are urging people to support the event.
Manager Paul Simpson, head of recruitment Greg Abbott and coach Geoff Haugh have explained to the website their own individual experiences after being diagnosed with cancer.
Geoff, 63, was the most recent to be diagnosed in August last year and has made a good recovery following treatment. He will be tackling the 5k route of Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life on Sunday, July 30 at Carlisle’s Bitts Park.
Non-drinking, non-smoking Geoff had a swollen testicle last summer and was initially prescribed antibiotics. After a further examination, he was advised the testicle needed to be removed and tests revealed he had two different types of cancer – one of which was aggressive.
Geoff faced a course of chemotherapy treatment at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital but hardly missed any time from the job he loves at Brunton Park.
It was then that Geoff got the vital support from friends and colleagues Paul Simpson and Greg Abbott as they both had their own cancer experiences.
Geoff said: “My experience shows absolutely anyone can face a cancer diagnosis as I was fit and well and have always looked after myself. Paul and Greg have been there for me every step of the way because they understand how I feel.
“At times, it’s almost as though we have a silent camaraderie and we don’t need to say anything to one another.
“It’s thanks to advances in research and treatments that I’m here and can enjoy time with my family and friends.
“I’m not sure I will be able to run my way around the Race for Life course as I might be jogging and walking part of the way, but I’ll certainly enjoy playing my part to fund research today which I hope will also help beat cancer for future generations.”
Paul Simpson was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2021. The 56-year-old had experienced a dry cough for about 18 months. But he was generally feeling fit and well.
A routine health check that summer was followed by a CT scan as the doctor was initially worried Paul may have a problem with his lungs which was causing the cough.
After being gobsmacked to be diagnosed with cancer he underwent robotic surgery at The Christie hospital in Manchester to have his left kidney removed and feels fortunate that he needed no other follow-up treatment.
Paul said: “The cancer diagnosis was a big shock as I didn’t feel unwell. But I put my total trust in the expertise of the doctors and knew from day one that I was determined to be a good news story. It’s vital that the Carlisle United community supports Race for Life as so many of us at the club have a cancer experience.”
Greg Abbott has experienced a difficult five years following a cancer diagnosis in 2018. Greg, aged 59, had been suffering headaches and feeling exhausted.
He saw his GP and had a check-up including a PSA test which helps to detect prostate cancer. The PSA reading was off the scale and a biopsy showed Greg had prostate cancer.
Greg faced six and a half hours of surgery to remove the cancer and the prostate gland. But complications led to the nerve endings close to his bladder being damaged. Greg initially wore a catheter for nine weeks.
He then endured five years of being incontinent which he describes as “debilitating”. Due to the covid pandemic, Greg’s corrective surgery was delayed and only happened in January of this year and he is no longer incontinent.
Greg said: “I just assumed the stress of my job at the time was causing me to wake up every day with a headache. So, the cancer diagnosis was a bolt from the blue and it was tough telling my family and friends the news. I was unlucky following the surgery, but I never wanted sympathy or sorrow.
“The last five years have been horrendous having to wear incontinence pads at my age and particularly in such an active and busy job, but following the surgery in January, I am now an entirely different person and back to my old self. We all need to support Race for Life because Paul, Geoff and I myself don’t want anyone in the future to go through what we have.”
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, is an inspiring series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.
This is the 30th year of Race for Life and participants will receive a special medal to mark the milestone.
