Mutts 7 in 7 epic challenge

Malcolm Ward Ashton, father of a recent Testicular Cancer Survivor, Callum Ward-Ashton, has recently launched a fundraising and awareness event for Testicular Cancer. Malcom’s fundraising efforts will go towards the Raleigh Testicular Foundation.

Malcolm will be running seven half marathons in seven days, with the Larking Gowen Ipswich Half Marathon being one of these challenges. Fittingly, the challenge starts on Monday 16^th September, the same day as his son Callum’s 30^th Birthday.

Malcolm tells us more about his challenge below.

“I am running seven half marathons in seven days, starting on 16th September, the same day as my son Callum’s 30th birthday and ending the last one at the Larking Gowen Ipswich Half Marathon.

“Our son moved to the US and he rang my partner to say he had a groin strain and had now noticed a swelling to his testicular. We were not worried as he was young, extremely fit and we did not have a history of cancer. We advised him to get a doctor’s appointment to get everything checked out. 

“Three days later after a scan he was told it was testicular cancer. After the operation, we learned it was very aggressive and had spread to his liver. 

“We were lucky as the fact he is so fit playing football and long-distance running meant he was able to receive a very grueling chemotherapy plan 5 hours a day 5 days a week for nearly 5 months. 

“So far from home, his support was a charity called Raleigh Testicular Cancer Foundation. The foundation offers support to those living far away from their families 

“We are eternally grateful to the foundation for all the time and support they have given our son and especially, sitting with him through his treatments. During his treatment, several young men, one of which aged only 23, lost their fights so, we consider ourselves the luckiest people when Callum went into remission and celebrated his first anniversary just last week. 

“Before this, we knew so little about cancer and especially this cancer, we did not realise how prominent testicular can be in young men and due to lack of information, embarrassment, and misunderstanding, this type of cancer is often not diagnosed quickly and is likely to spread.

“I never want this to happen to another young person, I am doing this event to raise monies for the charity but more importantly to remove the stigma of cancers like this. I want to make people aware of the importance of knowing your own body, recognizing changes, and having confidence in getting any worries checked out early. 

“My first run will be at Northgate High School on Monday 16th September. I plan to run the school track and the Oddball charity are also supporting to lead specialist sessions to all the students throughout the day. To help give them knowledge of regular checks, what to do if any symptoms and to enable them the confidence to seek help. 

“I know if this happened to our son it can happen to anyone and if caught quickly it can be easily treated.”

Good luck Malcolm, we look forward to welcoming you across the finish line on event day!

To support Malcolm on his fundraising mission click here

Entries are still open for the Larking Gowen Ipswich Half Marathon, set to take place on Sunday 22nd September. To find out more and enter click here