David Smyth, a Virgin Active Personal Trainer and gifted cricketer died on 14^thJune 2013 of testicular cancer, aged just 28. Since his very sudden death, family, friends and work colleagues have been raising awareness of testicular cancer. They have also been raising money to support cancer research and donating funds to the intensive care unit at Queen’s Medical Centre, in Nottingham, where David was treated. This page honours David’s memory.

Objectives

We have created this page to honour David’s memory. We also wish to help raise awareness of testicular cancer — there is a link to an informative video at the bottom of this page.

Why is this project important?

Testicular cancer is not very common and therefore unlikely to come up in everyday conversation. This results in blissful ignorance and little understanding of the symptoms. This cancer affects around 2,000 men in the UK each year, normally aged between 15-44 (Source: Cancer Research UK). David, was in fact, symptom-free until just a few days before he died.

Project results

On the 3^rd August 2013, a team of 13 Personal Trainers at Virgin Active, Derby took part in the ‘Three Peaks Challenge’, which involved walking the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours. To date, the team has raised £7,036 ($11,000 USD). Megan, David’s wife, has just completed a charity run and raised £4,001 ($6,000 USD). Other fund raising events include an auction and selling 400 wristbands with the words: ‘David Smyth – Live Love Laugh’.