Sleep out by Nairn County Football Club fan raises funds for Prostate Scotland and urology department at Raigmore Hospital
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A sleep out by a volunteer with Highland League football club Nairn County has raised thousands of pounds for prostate cancer research and Raigmore Hospital.
Donald Graham who has been producing a range of merchanise to help his local football organised a 12-hour sleep out in old stand at Station Park as his pals helped him raise money for Prostate Scotland and the Urology Department at Raigmore.
He was accompanied on a wild and stormy night by club Chairman Donald Matheson and Secretary Ian Finlayson who have given him moral support throughout his treatment and recovery.
Donald, who is known as Dodo, underwent a radical robotic prostatectomy at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in December 2020 after getting an early diagnosis and referral from the specialist unit at Raigmore.
"I had no symptoms and never felt ill. But the cancer was detected by a blood test," said Dodo.
"An examination was followed by an MRI and it was confirmed I had prostate cancer. My consultant discussed the options available to me including treatment or the radical prostatectomy."
Dodo said although it came as a complete shock he was told the disease was at a early stage and he opted to have surgery.
"The tumours were removed and although I still get regular checks with blood tests these have all come back negative with no sign of the cancer having spread," he said.
"The impact of this disease was brought home to me and I realise how lucky I was. Had it gone undetected the outcome could have been so different so my advice to men is to get checked - it could save your life."
Dodo said he was diagnosed in December 2020 and underwent his operation on February 23, 2021.
"This was during the height of the pandemic and I cannot praise the NHS enough. I just felt compelled to do something to say thank you and the football club is helping me raise awareness of Prostate Cancer.
"This disease affects one in ten males. Many can have prostate cancer and don’t even know it."
Club Chairman Donald Matheson said: "Dodo used to be on our committee but is now looking after our youth and merchandising at Nairn County.
"He has been helping Nairn for a number of years and was big in the fundraising for the enclosure and other fundraising in club. Helping arrange testimonials for players and down at park every home game to open our merchandise shop.
"He is so enthusiastic about our wee club its almost infectious.
"I was checked a couple of years before but thought it best to do it again.
"I spoke with Dodo to see if he would be interested in promoting an awareness of prostate cancer. It’s been getting a lot of coverage in the press nationally and because of the pandemic shut down that there could be as many a 14,000 men with the condition and not aware of it like Dodo was.
"Anyone over 50 should ask their GP for a simple PSA check which is done through a blood test. It doesn’t take long and for a very little bit of discomfort well worth the check."
Already the appeal has raised nearly £5000.
To donate go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/donald-graham
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