In July 2009, Dan Silver’s life changed forever. Here, the founder of Plymouth charity Dash of Silver, tells his story…
“Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it.
“Once we truly know that life is difficult-once we truly understand and accept it-then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.”
This quote was created by the great M Scott Peck, and he is 100 per cent correct that life is difficult for us all and for various reasons.
There are days, weeks or even months in the years we all can point to, that makes us all think, ‘Yes life is difficult’. For me personally, life became very difficult in July 2009.
Looking back on things now, 12 years later, I still think to myself, should I have done this? Should I have done that?
But obviously it is a lot easier now in hindsight to think like that as at the time your mind, body and soul are all over the place.
I hate the month of July with a passion, as it’s the month I realised I was facing the biggest battle of my life, the fights of all fights – and that was cancer.
Walking into a clinic and being examined by a top medical specialist in their field and to be told you have days to live is something you can never prepare yourself for.
I was thinking to myself, not long ago I was diagnosed with a water Infection, now potentially testicular cancer and now I’m told I have days to live. How can you comprehend that?
After being examined that horrible day, I went home and tried to process it all. I knew I was unwell for sure, I could feel it, my body was sore, my energy was dropping and my will to live was going.
All I could do though was wait and hope, that the thoughts of the specialist were not true.
A few weeks went by and one morning I couldn’t open my eyes properly, I couldn’t walk and was so weak I had no energy for anything. I knew deep down that this was getting serious now, I was thinking ‘surely I can’t have cancer’. But on 24th July my world fell apart, my worst fear came true.
I sat in an office, waiting to see a top consultant, nervous as you can imagine. After the consultant examined me, he sat me down and the next 30 seconds changed my life forever.
“Dan, you look unwell, your body is unwell and unfortunately you are very unwell, I am 99.99 per cent sure you have cancer, but 0.01 per cent think you have a water infection, (which made me smile). I’m going to take away your tumours and hopefully that helps.”
Hearing that hurt a lot as everything you work for, live for and love for is taken away from you within 30 seconds, and it is something you can never take back. I knew then, I was entering the biggest battle of my life, a battle I could lose.
I was only 29, I had a lot to live for. In this world, you can take things for granted and I took my life for granted.
The 27th July 2009 was the most heart-wrenching day of my life. It’s the day I will always remember, as it was the day that saved MY LIFE, as on that day I had my operation to remove the tumours.
But it is also a sad day for me, as it is my late father’s birthday, so every year I remember him on his birthday and also think of my battle.
Life is so precious, and you have to hold it, take care of it and be proud of it, as it can be taken away from you in seconds, so please be safe, take care of yourself and your loved ones.
If you would like more information about the incredible work Dash of Silver does, or if you require self examination cards, please visit www.dashofsilver.co.uk
Book your tickets for a night to remember at Boringdon Park this October
Boringdon Park Golf Club will be hosting the Dash of Silver ‘Let’s Play Ball’ Ball to raise money for this important local charity.
This glittering event is being held on Friday, October 22, in association with Wolferstans Solicitors and Santander, and tickets are available here.
We can’t wait to get suited and booted for a fabulous night after months of lockdown – when charities have found it exceptionally difficult to raise funds.
This amazing Plymouth charity raises awareness of male cancers, specifically testicular cancer, and continues to provide much-needed support for men who have been affected by this terrible disease.
Dash of Silver was started in 2009 by Dan Silver, with the help of family and friends, after having his own personal battle with testicular cancer.
Dan says: “Receiving the diagnosis that you have cancer is the worst feeling in the world and it is soul-destroying, although the news that you have beaten it is the best feeling.
“To be here to have this charity in my name is humbling and I’m extremely proud to be championing this cause.”
The early-bird ticket price of £45 per person – or a table of 10 for £400 – includes a three-course dinner and entertainment courtesy of Swing Kings member, Tom Baker, who will also be hosting the auction and raffle with the help of Plymouth Argyle legend Romain Larrieu, along with some other fun and games.
The ‘Let’s Play Ball’ theme can be interpreted as you wish. Of course, it’s great to see everyone dressed up in their finery but if you want to be a bit ‘ball’ themed, then that’s entirely up to you. It’s about time we all had some fun!
For more information, visit the Dash of Silver website here: https://dashofsilver.co.uk/
