For years, Pirtek UK has supported Prostate Cancer UK with sponsored events, site collections and – most spectacularly – Team Gorgeous from Pirtek Ellesmere Port. They have appeared at most of the BTCC races, alongside Andrew Jordan to raise awareness about the disease.
At every BTCC meeting Team Gorgeous appear in their outrageous pink tutus and pass out information on prostate cancer. The team hope that by increasing awareness they will actively reduce the number of deaths. And they were delighted to receive an email via the Pirtek Racing Facebook page from Bob Park.
“Hi team I hope you’re enjoying your summer break.
At Oulton Park in 2013, I was given a leaflet by Team Gorgeous about prostate cancer. I had a read and then went to my quack. After tests I found out I had prostate cancer – I saw Team Gorgeous again this year at your merchandise tent and mentioned to them I was undergoing treatment and waiting for my op to finally remove all the bad stuff.
I have just come out of hospital after having the op on my birthday of all dates (13/07/14) and was told everything went as planned, I have another test in two weeks just to make sure.
I just want to thank yourselves and the pink lads for promoting prostate cancer because without that leaflet I don’t think I would be here now.
“Many thanks Bob”
Bob kindly agreed to be interviewed later and said: “Pirtek undoubtedly saved my life. That leaflet made me think seriously about my health and after reading it I recognised some of the warning signs and realised I was showing some of the symptoms. I underwent an examination and had a PHA blood test that confirmed I was a high risk patient. I underwent radiotherapy and finally an operation. Fingers crossed all is well and I now get a six-month check to keep an eye on things. As a single parent it was imperative that I was there for my son as well. It is ironic that I work as a self-employed Falconer and often raise funds for the Macmillan cancer nurses. I think I will have to extend my cancer charities fund raising activities to include Prostate Cancer UK now. A big thank you to the guys at Team Gorgeous.’
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. 37,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. 250,000 men are currently living with the disease.
Normally the growth of all cells is carefully controlled in the body. As cells die, they are replaced in an orderly fashion. Cancer can develop when cells start to grow in an uncontrolled way. If this happens in the prostate gland, prostate cancer can develop.
Prostate cancer can grow slowly or very quickly. Most prostate cancer is slow-growing to start with and may never cause any problems or symptoms in a man’s lifetime. However, some men will have cancer that is more aggressive or ‘high risk.’ This needs treatment to help prevent or delay it spreading outside the prostate gland
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