FOTCC-5423

Aaron Watson from Bangor has a voice that many of you will recognise.

As a voice over artist, he is a familiar sound on your radio but Aaron is using his voice for a very different reason as he encourages men across Northern Ireland to get checking their testicles.  And there is a good reason why.  When he was just 22 years old, Aaron was diagnosed with testicular cancer.  Now 42, Aaron is cancer free and backing our Talking Balls campaign in the hope that his experience could save someone’s life.  This is his story.

“The first sign that something wasn’t quite right was when I started to experience pain in my testicle.  It took me a while, but I eventually went to see my GP, who sent me for a scan.  At the scan, they checked the testicle I had the pain in and it looked fine.  However, the person doing the scan also checked the other testicle and that decision saved my life.  It turned out the pain I was experiencing was actually due to a tumour in my other testicle. 

“I can’t describe how I felt at the time.  I was 22 and absolutely terrified.  Thankfully, I was soon under the care of the incredible team at the Cancer Centre and in particular, the wonderful Dr McAleer.  It was a really difficult time and my treatment included surgery to remove my testicle, but I managed to come out the other side.   

“The team at the Cancer Centre were incredible.  They looked after me, comforted me and most importantly, cured me.  At the time I was told that I might not be able to have any children after my operation.   My son is now 17 years old and a walking miracle in our eyes. 

“It has now become my mission to get as many men as I can to start checking themselves and that is why I’m really proud to support Friends of the Cancer Centre’s Talking Balls campaign. 

“The name of the campaign resonated with me instantly and if talking about my experience encourages even one man out there to check his testicles, I will be delighted as it could save their life. 

“So please, get checking.”

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