Dan is a man who will not be beaten
AFTER FIVE OPS TO TREAT BRAIN TUMOUR, HE IS ON BOXING BILL
A BRAIN tumour victim who won his fight for life is to star on a boxing bill at the Lancastrian Suite in Dunston next month. Geordie Dan Howard, who underwent five operations after being diagnosed, was at one time told nothing more could be done and he was going to die. Even when he somehow survived, Howard lost the use of the right side of his body and faced never being able to walk properly again. However, against medical expectancy he incredibly fought back again to become a personal trainer and boxing coach and now is to perform on Phil Reid’s white-collar show at the Lancastrian Centre on September 1.
“Dan Howard started boxing at the age of 11 and his is a remarkable story,” said Reid of the Cobra boxing club in Newcastle. “He has defied all reasoning and his strength and courage is unbelievable.
“On Christmas Day of 2011 Dan suffered a seizure and was told he had a brain tumour. He underwent an awake operation which revealed he had a Grade Four glioblastomas which is the most aggressive cancer that begins within the brain.
“Dan had five operations altogether and after the third he was told he had an infection on his brain.
“The doctors said there was nothing more they could do but make him comfortable.
“However, another doctor suggested he could have another op but the risks involved were huge and he could possibly die.
“Dan decided to have the op. He was supposed to start chemo soon afterwards but when he went in for tests they said there was nothing there. Everything was clear!
“Nevertheless he lost the use of the right side of his body through all the ops and was told he would not walk properly again.”
The transformation has been nothing short of miraculous.
Reid explained: “Dan is now a personal trainer and boxing coach.
“He works at Maggie’s Centre and puts on sessions for cancer patients and survivors to help them get on with life.
“He also holds talks about what he has gone through and how he has found the strength to carry on.
“He has been doing this for four years now.”
Howard will be body sparring against the tough Chi Cheung on ‘Fists of Fury 4’ to raise money for Maggie’s Centre and his old boxing club Grainger Park.
Local fighter Gary Firby will top the bill, pulling on the gloves for one last time in a Blindfold Title Fight against Dan Bentley.
Firby, an ex-amateur and pro boxer, has decided this will be his last outing at the age of 37 and he will concentrate on coaching and spending time with his family.
A packed undercard includes Bethany Patterson from Felling Warriors taking on Natalia Cox (Manor Gym) and Big Bill from Westgate Hill against Jack Scott in another title fight.
Tickets are on sale priced £20 from Phil Reid on 07939 470 671.