A sense of belonging helps us heal

a man who is fighting prostate cancer have described how group fitness sessions have helped recovery and offered a “sense of belonging”.

Richard Donaldson, 55, is among a group of 16 people who have completed a diverse health program at Aberdeen FC’s Pittodrie Stadium in recent weeks.

Prostate FFIT (Football Fans in Training) is provided by the Prostate Scotland and SPFL (Scottish Professional Football League) Trust charities.

Mr Donaldson, from Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, said group members have formed a close lasting bond.

Following a biopsy, the creel fisherman and Airbnb owner was found to have cancer on the right side of his prostate. His prostate was removed in April.

He is now cancer free, but will continue to be tested every three months for the next three years.

He said: “Being diagnosed with cancer is a terrible feeling, but early diagnosis saves lives.

“You feel as if your whole world is sinking.

“When they removed my prostate and they said there was a chance the cancer might have broken through and spread to my bones. I’m very lucky.”

He suffered from fatigue during his treatment and said that the course at Pittodrie made a big difference.

“It gives a sense of belonging when you come into a group because you start out alone when you’re diagnosed with prostate cancer,” he said.

“Everyone here is in the same boat and you learn how prostate cancer can affect you.”

She added: “This course has helped me fight fatigue, the trainers and dietitian have been fantastic.

“I’ve lost about half the weight, I try to watch my food better, and try to live a healthier life.

“When fatigue takes over, you have to respond. I feel fantastic.”

The program at Pittodrie ran for 12 weeks, with the entire group reducing their body mass index (BMI) – which measures the ratio of height and weight to estimate body fat and blood pressure.

Each 90-minute session was divided between nutritional advice – to help balance the effects of treatment – ​​and fitness.

It included aerobic, strength, balance and flexibility exercises – often on the pitch, if weather permitted.

Ellen Stewart, service development manager at Prostate Scotland, praised the success of Prostate FFIT (Football Fans in Training).

“The feedback we get from men is empowering,” he said.

“Prostate FFIT is making a big difference as they go through prostate cancer treatment which is a challenging process – emotionally, mentally and physically.”

He said that following the success of the event, they are announcing a second Prostate FFIT event starting in Pittodrie on January 29.

“We are inviting men receiving treatment in Aberdeenshire to sign up and take part,” he said.

“This is a great opportunity to get out of your head, get physical exercise, meet others and have some fun – it provides a new perspective. Let us support you in your prostate cancer journey.”

Nicola Graham, cancer exercise coach who runs the programme, said: “The idea is to enable participants to have a better quality of life, so we teach them transferable exercises that can help them at home and increase these gradually. “

Mr Donaldson, a big Rangers fan, said there is no rivalry between the group despite the majority being Aberdeen fans.

“Cancer has no color,” he explained.

“There is no discrimination here – because we all know who is the best team.”

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located just below the urinary bladder within the pelvis.

It surrounds the urethra – the tube that carries urine out of the body through the penis.

Prostate cancer – abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth – often develops slowly.

There may be no signs or symptoms for years and some people never have any problems with it.

But in others, the cancer can be aggressive and fatal.

If prostate cancer is detected early, the chances of successful treatment are highest.