When opportunity undoubtedly rocks
One of my mantras is all about never saying no to a positive opportunity. Not just because you never know when or if that opportunity will arise again, but also because it may involve others – and making them feel loved and important is just as valid as my own needs.
Last week my fellow advanced prostate cancer sufferer Tony came to run my local Park Run because he was down from Altrincham for the weekend having spent the previous day at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London sharing thoughts on prostate cancer treatments with the medics there.
It would have been easy for me not to go as I had planned a longer run for my training, but because of the distance between us it was more important to take a rare opportunity to share a run with Tony. Clearly though, I was not alone because many others locally involved in the cancer world turned up too with an extra Cancer 5k Your Way group.
It was great to hear Tony talk about all the things that he has done since he was diagnosed, like being the Provost of Altrincham, national lead in 5k Your Way, ambassador for Maggie’s, a cancer charity in Manchester, helping the ICR deliver better cancer outcomes and as trustee of Tackle Prostate among other things.
It made me realise all I do is talk, run and raise money. In many ways put me to shame and made me consider how I can get more involved.
It’s always good to meet up with people who share the same challenges as me because we both have slightly different viewpoints on things – but by mentally compromising I know that what I do with others will be all the more rounded by taking some of Tony’s advice on board.
And I flatter myself that hopefully the same will apply to him from mine. So if you get the chance to meet up with an old friend, even if it is not totally convenient, I urge you to make the effort – because you will both feel better for it afterwards.
‘‘ If you have the chance to meet an old friend please make the effort