Barcaldine woman Madeline Jones raises awareness for Prostate Cancer Foundation

A Central Queensland woman is running 72km in a bid to raise funds and awareness around early cancer detection, with hopes to save someone from the situation her family is facing.

Barcaldine woman Madeline Jones, 29, is running 72km in September to raise funds and awareness of prostate cancer after her dad, Steven, was diagnosed with the disease at 53.

Barcaldine woman Madeline Jones, 29, is lacing up to raise awareness for early detection of prostate cancer, after her dad received an advanced diagnosis at age 53.

“They say there are a few defining moments that change your life forever – getting a call from my dad telling me he had prostate cancer was one of them,” she said.

Her dad, Steven, was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in 2020.

“I remember feeling numb when I got the call from my dad,” she said.

“I never expected this to happen to my father and especially at 53 years old.

“It makes me wonder how many other fathers, husbands, brothers and men in our lives are walking around with this disease, just like my dad was.”

Ms Jones will run 72km in September as part of The Long Run – an initiative of Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia – which encourages people to run, walk or wheel throughout Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and raise funds for the men they love.

“It scares me to think it crept up on my family as it did, and it could happen to anyone,” she said.

“Which is why taking part in The Long Run and raising awareness about early detection is so important to me.

“My dad wasn’t diagnosed until it had already spread – but hopefully other men can catch it earlier.”

After raising $8500 in 2020, Ms Jones is hoping to surpass that this year, although said she was thankful for every cent that was donated.

“You never think cancer is going to happen to you, or someone you love until one day it does,” she said.

“I knew I had to set out again this year to raise as much as possible, for a disease that silently creeps up on the men we love.

“I feel like if one girl in an outback town can raise $8500, then anyone can.

“This year, I’ll be thinking of my dad every single step of the way.”

Ms Jones has run 27km in just 10 days and will spend the rest of the month encouraging people’s brothers, partners, husbands and dads to get checked, regardless of their age.

“When my dad got diagnosed last year it was a shock. He was in fine health and went to the doctor for something else,” she said.

“I just don’t want other families to miss the symptoms.”

More than 3000 people are expected to join The Long Run campaign this year in the hope of raising $1.6 million for prostate cancer research and specialist nurses.

This year’s campaign, with the theme “Together for the long run”, aims to raise vital funds so that men have access to lifesaving support.

New participants and teams can still register in one easy step via thelongrun.org.au or support Ms Jones by donating here.