A scientist and father of three 3 from Macclesfield, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer, is urging people to give generously to fund The Christie's new £26m cancer centre in Macclesfield.

While the new centre is opening in Macclesfield next week, money still needs to be donated to cover the cost of the construction.

Keith Mulholland (57), who is married to school exam invigilator Catherine (54), was diagnosed in December 2018 and treated at The Christie in the autumn of 2019.

Due to his dad having prostate cancer, Keith was already having prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests every two years.

Through the health screening his employer AstraZeneca provide, a higher level of PSA was found, and Keith was referred for an MRI scan and biopsy which resulted in his cancer diagnosis.

Keith was initially referred to The Christie in December 2018 to discuss brachytherapy as a treatment option. He chose instead to have the cancer surgically removed through a prostatectomy at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport.

Unfortunately, his PSA levels started to rise after the surgery, and he was referred to The Christie for a course of radiotherapy.

He said: "In November and December 2019, I completed 20 sessions of radiotherapy at The Christie in Manchester to treat prostate cancer. They offered me excellent medical care at the cutting edge of science and they understood and were sensitive to my patient needs.

"The Christie delivered the absolute highest standard of medical care possible. The radiotherapy staff not only supported me but also helped my wife and I to access some counselling during my treatment.

"Radiotherapy for prostate cancer often has side effects on the bladder and bowel. I found myself making additional toilet stops along the A34 on my way to and from The Christie.

"Having The Christie at Macclesfield will make this issue far less likely to occur for patients in Cheshire East. If the radiotherapy had been in Macclesfield it would have only been a five to ten minute journey for me.

"The Christie at Macclesfield will also reduce the carbon footprint for travel from home to hospital. I am looking forward to the imminent opening and hope people will give generously to the appeal fund."

As a keen runner and a former Chair of Macclesfield Harriers, Keith ran the London Marathon for The Christie in 2010 but never imagined that he would need to be treated there less than a decade later.

Keith is currently well and cancer free. He has regular PSA tests every 6 months and the levels of PSA in his blood are currently undetectable.

The Liverpool-born Macclesfield resident has experienced some minor bowel related side effects since having radiotherapy.

Having been diagnosed with cancer has made Keith think about what is important to him for the future.

He added: "I now have the ambition to retire by the age of 60. But my hopes of exploring New Zealand and Australia are currently on hold because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic."

The recently completely Christie at Macclesfield cancer centre will open to patients on 13 December 2021, transforming cancer care in East Cheshire and providing care closer to home for more than 1,500 existing Christie patients a year.

This ambitious project brings together essential cancer services into one purpose built centre delivering local specialist access to radiotherapy, chemotherapy, haematology, holistic support and information services, outpatient care, palliative care and a wider range of clinical trials than at present. It will accommodate around 46,000 patient visits per year.

There will be specialist examination rooms, a CT simulator where treatments are planned, plus counselling and complementary therapy rooms. Existing Christie patients from Cheshire, North Staffordshire and the High Peak area of Derbyshire will all benefit.

The Christie charity needs to raise £23m towards the £26m new centre. To support The Christie at Macclesfield, visit their Macclesfield campaign page or call 0161 446 3988.

See also: Opening date for The Christie Macclesfield confirmed.

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