JDA's Bald Heads & Bad Legs with a little touch of glamour

2025 was, without question, the most difficult year of my life. It began with hope, but between March and May, my girlfriend and I experienced the devastating loss of seven close family members and friends. Among them was my brother, whose passing, under deeply distressing circumstances, profoundly shook me and left me carrying a heavy sense of guilt.

As the year progressed, things began to stabilise slightly. However, in August, I attended a routine PSA blood test. For the past five years, I have been closely monitored every 3–6 months due to consistently elevated levels. This time, my PSA rose to 12.9—well above the threshold of concern. My consultant recommended further biopsies, despite previous tests three years earlier returning negative results.

In November, I underwent another round of biopsies. This time, the results were positive. It was a moment that completely changed my world. Given my relatively young age, I was advised to undergo surgery at The Royal Marsden in Fulham, under the care of a leading specialist using advanced nerve-sparing robotic technology. While this offered reassurance, I found myself experiencing intense anxiety and panic—something entirely new to me. The lead-up to surgery was incredibly challenging; I lost a significant amount of weight and struggled with persistent catastrophic thinking. These feelings continued even after the procedure, and it was suggested that the cumulative impact of the year may have led to a form of emotional breakdown.

Throughout this journey, The Royal Marsden has been exceptional. Not only did they provide outstanding medical care, but they also supported me with psychological counselling. In addition, I found great comfort at Maggie’s Centre, their drop-in facility, where trained professionals offer invaluable emotional support.

Now, four months after surgery, I am recovering well and feel a strong desire to give something back to this extraordinary hospital. Cancer is affecting more people than ever; since my own diagnosis, a close friend of mine—of a similar age—has undergone the same procedure. The work being carried out at The Royal Marsden is vital, not only in treating patients but also in advancing research to develop pioneering methods to combat this disease.

At some point, cancer will touch all of our lives—whether personally or through someone we care about. With that in mind, I am asking for your support.

A small team of us—currently six ( but adding more) walkers, including others in our team  who have also been treated in the past, are taking part in a fundraising walk in aid of The Royal Marsden. If you are able, I would be incredibly grateful for any donation, no matter the size, to support their life-saving work.

You are also warmly invited to join us on the walk or come along to show your support on the day. Every contribution—whether through donations, participation, or encouragement—makes a meaningful difference.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for any support you are able to give