The Parkes Prostate Cancer Support and Awareness Group performs an essential service in our community, but is in urgent need of more members to ensure the group’s long-term viability.
During the period before COVID the group unfortunately lost some very good members, and post COVID the future of the group is in doubt as we are unable to attract men to attend meetings. At the Outback Classic Rally earlier this year, and outside of meetings, many men spoke of their experiences with cancer and indicated a group was still required for support, but unfortunately they do not attend the meetings.
Men are more reluctant to share their medical problems whether that or embarrassment is the reason we do not know.
Both Michael Lynch and I, who started the group, have reached the age of 84 and would not like to see this essential service terminate as we are both committed to the continuation of the group.
We would like to invite men to our meetings on the fourth Tuesday of every month at Neighbourhood Central at 7pm. The group come together to support one another with confidential group discussions.
By Pauline Gosper