"If something is not right then see a doctor. If your doctor doesn’t help, see another one"

Friday 02 December 2022

With the end of November marking the end of MUG’s Beard Up campaign, a mother who lost her son to bowel cancer has encouraged men to put their health first.

Tracy Smale spoke to a group of men from Saffery Champness, including her son Joe, who collectively raised over £3,000 for the charity’s annual fundraising campaign.

Pictured: Dan Smale died aged 36 in 2019. 

Since the passing of her eldest son, Dan, in 2019, Tracy has been campaigning for men to open up about their health.

“MUG’s work is so incredibly important to support because it can help save lives. If there’s one good thing that can come out of Dan’s story, it’s that we have learned a lot as a family and can help to stop it happening again,” said Tracy. 

“Thanks to the work of groups including MUG and Bowel Cancer Guernsey, people are starting to recognise when something is not right, they’re being brave and going to the doctor and the majority are finding that its something straightforward that can be fixed. 

Pictured: Dan Smale with his parents and two of his three brothers, at a party he held before his death in 2019.

“For those people that aren’t that lucky, my message would be to go to your doctor and keep going. If, for whatever reason, the doctor doesn’t give you the help you feel you need then don’t take no for an answer.” 

Tracy explained that Dan went to the doctors several times before receiving his diagnosis.

“There is no fathomable reason why Dan didn’t get his diagnosis sooner. When your doctor tells you what they think is wrong, look them in the eyes and ask “are you sure?”. Those three words could have saved Dan’s life. You need to perserve and put yourself and your health first”. 

Tracy encouraged the Saffery men not only to talk about their own health, but to encourage others to do the same. 

Pictured: Tracy Smale spoke to a group of Saffery Champness men to encourge them to talk about their health. 

“Dan got a lot of comfort from his mates, they were his number one priority after his dioagnosis. What happened to Dan helped his friends to think about their own health. Everyone knows their own body, if something is not right then see a doctor. If your doctor doesn’t help, see another one,” she said. 

“Those conversations with your friends can be light hearted. Get your mates together over a beer or a coffee, go for a run, chat after football or while you’re gaming.” 

Tracy said it was also important for women to “support the men in your life”. 

Pictured: Saffery Champness were awarded the Dan Smale trophy for Coporate Fundraiser of the Year. 

“If they have something that is bothering them then support them in getting checked out. No one wants to be alone in a room where the ‘c-word’ [cancer] is mentioned, but having these conversations and getting help can help prevent that. 

“I have a huge vested interest in men talking about their health. I have a husband, four gorgeous sons, an absolutely adorable son-in-law and two precious grandsons.

"I won’t stop promoting the message; I’m in it for the long haul because they are everything to me.” 

Pictured: Joe Cardoso-Smale opted for a “monkey tail” look in aid of MUG’s Beard Up campaign. He is passionate about the charity following his brother’s death from bowel cancer.

Saffery Champness were awarded the Dan Smale Corporate Fundraiser of the Year trophy at MUG’s prize giving event last night, which marked the end of the month-long Beard Up campaign. More than £9,500 was raised by corporate groups and individuals. 

MUG Council Member, Daniel Collins said the funds raised would support oncology patients locally. 

“The MUG message is to get checked if you have any concerns about your health. Early intervention normally results in better treatment options and enhances the chances of survival,” he said. 

“The funds raised by Beard Up will be used as a bursary for Guernsey-based cancer nurses to take online courses and courses off-island. We want to say a massive thank you to Saffery Champness for their incredible support. We are so proud to be associated with Safferys, who have supported MUG shoulder to shoulder since our inception in 2012.” 

Pictured: The Saffery Champness group raised over £3,000 for MUG. L-R Top: Cameron Le Page, Sam Ward, Rory Jones, Zac Hanley. Bottom: Joe Wright, Cassius Asghar, Matt Gilligan and Luke Jones.

It’s not too late to donate to MUG’s fundraising efforts to help the charity to reach its £20,000 target.

You can find out more about MUG HERE.  

You can donate via Just Giving - search for MUG Beard Up 2022

Pictured top: Tracey Smale and Joe Cardoso-Smale, and the Saffery Champness group.