Affectionately known as “the mayor of Milton”, David Johnson has been battling prostate cancer for 12 months, but he considers himself one of the lucky ones after being given a clean bill of health just days out from hosting Ulladulla’s Relay for Life event.
When he emceed the first relay at the Milton Showground, David said he was “blown away” by the brave cancer patients, family members and survivors who took to the stage and told of their journeys, their losses and their triumphs.
He never expected that one day he would be the one spreading a message of hope and stressing the importance of early detection.
During his annual health check in June last year, the 69-year-old was told he had prostate cancer.
“It was only in its early stages, so it could be treated without surgery,” he said.
“In September I had brachytherapy which involved the insertion of radiotherapy pellets into the prostate to kill the tumour from the inside.
“I had a check-up about a month ago and the doctors were happy that the treatment had worked and the cancer was pretty much eradicated.”
David said it would have been “a completely different story” if he had gone another year without a prostate exam.
“I’m a very lucky cancer person really,” he said.
David said, when he agreed to become involved with the inaugural Relay for Life in 2011, he didn’t know what to expect or how the community would respond to the event.
“I don’t think any of us knew how amazing it would be,” he said.
During that first event he and many others were overcome with emotion and were moved to tears by the community’s passion.
“Everyone was there for the same reason, with the same goal,” he said.
“I was blown away by the stories that came out of that first event.
“People made friends and felt they were not alone on their cancer journey.
“It’s was the biggest community bonding experience I have ever witnessed in our area.”
David believes every person should attend at least one Relay for Life event.
“It’s something every person in our community should experience,” he added.
“It’s one of those things that you need to be a part of to understand.
“I’m very proud to have been involved.”
Along with prevention and looking after yourself, David said talking to people and remaining positive was crucial for cancer patients.
“People sometimes bottle things up and keep living their lives determined not to let the cancer take over.
“I think it is important to talk about it and to share stories with others in a similar situation.
“It’s a really weird world that you enter as soon as you find out you have cancer, but there’s so much help and support out there – it’s incredible.”
The Relay for Life brings people together for one cause and raises funds for cancer research and community programs.
David commended the committee that worked to get the event off the ground each year.
“I take my hat off to the small but totally dedicated committee of passionate women led by Caz Boland,” he added.
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