“I had to have a conversation with Liz about when I'm gone, how it's okay to love again. Because the likelihood is she’ll be 50 years old and widowed.” - Adam Johnson
Father-of-three Adam Johnson is a larger-than-life character – his bold shirts, infectious smile and charisma brightens up the room.
Since his diagnosis last year, the 50-year-old has begun the difficult process of preparing himself and his loved ones that he may not be here much longer.
“I went to the toilet, and it all turned bad. Just instantly. I've just looked down and it was just blood,” Adam remembers.
The following day, Adam’s doctor told him to go straight to the Emergency Department at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital instructing him that doctors would be waiting for him.
It was a there that Adam was told the most devastating news - he had Stage 4 advanced prostate cancer and there was no chance it could be cured.
With an estimated 26,368 men likely to be diagnosed this year alone, prostate cancer is the second-most common cause of death from cancer in Australian men.
“I've never felt alone, and I had no right to feel alone because I never am, but for that moment – I felt deeply alone and lost.” Adam reflects.
Adam has since faced his diagnosis head on, he resigned from his job as a wine broker and wedding celebrant to spend his precious time going on adventures with family and friends.
As part of that adventure Adam has bravely stepped up to be the ambassador of the Wishlist K's 4 Cancer (formerly known as Wishlist Fun Run) which will be held on October 20 at Lake Kawana.
You can walk, run, roll or stroll with your dog to raise funds to support Sunshine Coast cancer patients & their families, with distances of 2.5km, 5km and 10km as well as live entertainment, face painting, jumping castle, BBQ and drinks, there’s something for the whole family.
“To help someone that you might not ever meet, is that the most beautiful thing you can do? I think quite possibly.
“One of the easiest ways people can help is to sign up for K’s 4 Cancer, then you tell your mates, who tell their mates and by doing so the impact you have is tenfold.
“Together we’re going to lift people up from the darkest place in their lives and we’re going to give them some sunshine, that’s why we need your help.” Adam says.
Proceeds from the event will be used to purchase two essential pieces of equipment for local breast cancer patients – the Sentimag and Faxitron machines.
These advanced technologies will replace the traditional and often painful "hook and wire" method with the insertion of a tiny magnetic seed, allowing for more precise surgery, less tissue removal, faster recovery, and fewer follow-up procedures, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
