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20 Feb 2024Ray's fundraising pledge realised as Bedford community rally round
A local golfer determined to change the game for men affected by prostate cancer has triumphantly delivered on a life-changing promise
Ray De Branco, from Bedford, was diagnosed with locally advanced prostate cancer in 2014. Ray’s diagnosis inspired him to lead a fundraising and awareness drive for Prostate Cancer UK. By combining his enthusiasm for saving lives and his love of golf, he hosted an annual golf day at his club, Pavenham Park Golf Club in Bedfordshire.
The 76-year-old pledged to raise £100,000 for Prostate Cancer UK when planning for his first golf day in 2016, and, seven years later, Ray’s dream was realised when the 2023 instalment saw his fundraising soar to over £107,000.
Raising awareness of prostate cancer in the golf community
While Ray initially struggled with his cancer diagnosis, he knew that there were other men at his golf club that were just embarking on this journey too. Wanting to be a listening ear and someone they can turn to advice to, he began to raise awareness of prostate cancer in his club.
“I wanted to help all men, having been an active sportsman all my life,” he said. “Golf was my main sport, and we wanted to raise awareness and thought this was a great platform on which to do that. We also wanted to raise much-needed funds for research into the disease. The support from my golf club, partner, and family means an awful lot to me. While organising the event is very time-consuming, their support is heart-warming."
Accepting support during his journey with cancer
When Ray received his diagnosis, he discovered that his cancer was locally advanced. While he knew this removed some treatment options for him, he was thankful that all recent research advancements meant he had less invasive treatment options available for him.
Through all the scans, radiotherapy and the eventual spreading of his cancer, his friends, partner and community stood by him.
“My partner Anne knows it’s not easy for me to live with the diagnosis, but having the ongoing support of all our friends at the club has made the situation much easier. She says that after a round of golf - and the banter at the 19th hole - I come home a different person, ready to fight another day.”
Present day Ray: how prostate cancer has shaped his life
Ray, who is now undergoing a second course of radiotherapy after discovering his cancer had spread in early 2023, also wants to spread awareness of the disease in the golf community and share his story.
“Getting my diagnosis was awful, but there are lots of men at the club just beginning their journeys too, and it’s great to be able to share my experience with them and be someone they can turn to or just lend a listening ear,” he said.
"In the early days, I was convinced that the word ‘cancer’ meant that I was not going to live much longer. Ongoing treatment has given me more years of life, but my subsequent diagnosis has made me realise how precious life is, and I’m trying to live it to the full and continue to stay upbeat.”
Are you interested in joining our golf community? You can organise your very own golf day with your club, or take part in on the Big Golf Race. Our expert golf team will be there to support you at every step.