By Paul McElwee
A DONEGAL businessman and prostate cancer survivor will begin the upcoming May Bank Holiday weekend by undertaking on a fundraising walk for a cancer charity.
Joe Coyle, a native of Downings now residing in Mountcharles, is undertaking the 100km journey along with his friend Thomas Given, taking the pair from Donegal Bay to the North Atlantic Coast in aid of Cancer Care West Support Centre Donegal. What’s more, he intends to do it all in one day!
Joe’s journey with cancer began when a simple medical to renew his driver’s licence turned into a complete life health check.
As Joe explains, “In 2021 my driving license expired and I was told I’d have to get a medical if I wanted to renew. A few weeks after the medical GP, Dr Austin O ’Kennedy rang me and advised that my PSA was 3.6. I wondered if I had just won the Lotto or was I on the way out?
“Dr O ’Kennedy explained that PSA stands for Prostate Signal Antigen, a marker in the blood for prostate cancer and that 4.0 was concerning but, only two years previous, my PSA was 2.6. Ten months later that number rose to 4.6 and so, I opted for a referral to get it sorted.”
Following a battery of tests, Joe was given the shocking news he had stage one prostate cancer.
He continued, “I had a conversation with myself over what would happen if the worst was uncovered and, once I got the news, I was determined to do everything I could to deal with it in the best way possible, medically, physically, mentally and emotionally. I saw a surgeon and radiotherapist and, after much thought, I opted for surgery although the choice I made isn’t for everyone.”
Avid walker Joe on one of his many treks.
Joe underwent a Robotic Keyhole Proctectomy in January 2022 with a full physical recovery although Joe admits mentally was a different challenge.
“Padraig O ‘Maille asked me to speak about my cancer journey at a Smácht Mór in Ballyvaughan, Co Clare. I was delighted to, as I am on a mission to encourage men over 45 to “Get Your Prostate Checked”. Two weeks later I noticed that I wasn’t just myself; not the same energy, not the same activity, not the same interest etc. realising I was having an emotional meltdown.
“I reached out to Cancer Care West (Donegal) and spoke Dr John Donohue, a senior psychologist who assured me that they would take the journey with me, said to call them anytime. At my appointment I met a wonderful, volunteer nurse called Rita, who started me on the journey to recovery. After a number of sessions with John, I had a full recovery. It was then I decided I wanted to give something back to those who helped me so much.”
Joe and Thomas will depart at 4am on Saturday, May 2 for a journey that will lead them through Lough Eske, Ballybofey and Stranorlar, Letterkenny, Kilmacrennan, Lough Salt, Carrigart and finally to Downings.
As he prepares for the walk, Joe concludes, “I’m very grateful to have beaten prostate cancer. Gratitude is everything in life and especially when you come out the other side of a prostate cancer surgery. It was a stressful time for me and my family and my intention is to show men the importance of being aware of their prostate and getting checked and to thank Cancer Care West Donegal for their support”.
Anyone wishing to donate to Joe’s journey can do so via his iDonate page https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/JoeCoyle111 with all proceeds going to Cancer Care West Donegal.
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