Zoe Colman, a Gembrook local, has set an incredible goal of running, walking, and riding 500km during the month of September to honour her late father and help make prostate cancer history.
Zoe will be joining thousands of Australians for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s pinnacle event, The Long Run.
Held during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, The Long Run calls on locals to run, walk or wheel 72km throughout the month to raise funds and awareness for those impacted by the disease. Zoe has set her sights on increasing this to a challenging 500km.
“I’ve upped my distance goal drastically to 500kms. I wanted to go big in memory of Dad. I’m in no way shape or form athletic/overly fit, so I know this with be a massive challenge both physically and mentally. But I know dad will be with me every step of the way. I’m looking forward to that last km and making a difference,” she said.
Prostate cancer has overtaken breast cancer as the country’s leading cause of cancer, with 66 men diagnosed every day. In the south-east Melbourne region alone, over 458 men are expected to be diagnosed this year.
Zoe said they were inspired to take action, raise awareness and save lives.
“Prostate Cancer has been a dark cloud in our family for a while. My Dad Kim was diagnosed at Christmas in 2008 and after treatment thankfully went into remission for nearly a decade,” Zoe said.
“Unfortunately, the cancer spread to his bones. Last May, after a lengthy treatment run of chemo and radiation therapy, Dad made the decision to cease treatment as it was no longer working, and his diagnosis was terminal.
“He fought so bloody hard until he passed away in February this year. He did it with such a strength and grace that I can’t put into words.
“I did The Long Run for the first-time last year after receiving information about it while researching support services for my parents after Dad’s treatment was stopped. While I was already supporting my dad, I felt helpless.
“Participating in it was another way I could support him along with other men and their families going through the same thing.”
Locals can get behind Zoe’s efforts by donating at thelongrun.org.au/fundraisers/zoecolman4442/the-long-run-2022
Locals can register in one easy step via thelongrun.org.au.
PCFA chief executive Anne Savage encouraged locals to join Zoe on their mission by taking part.
“The Long Run is expected to be the biggest in history this year, with increasing numbers of men being diagnosed and nearly 10 men dying from prostate cancer every single day,” Ms Savage said.
“The number of men being diagnosed with prostate cancer is increasing more rapidly than any other type of cancer, and the impact it takes on men’s lives is significant.
“Men with prostate cancer face a 70 per cent increased risk of suicide death, and 72 per cent of men do not get support for their mental health concerns.”
More than 240,000 Australian men have now been diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime – a figure set to increase by 43 per cent by 2040.
“We’ve come a long way – increasing survival rates to 95 per cent, but we will not stop until we defeat prostate cancer,” Ms Savage said.
“We’re asking those who want to join our moon shot in The Long Run to run, walk, wheel or roller skate 72km during September, in solidarity with patients and survivors.”
