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Remembering David Smyth, a Virgin Active Personal Trainer Derby, United Kingdom


  • David Smyth in cricket whites and holding his cricket bat
  • David and Megan Smyth
  • Megan Smyth's Race for Life t-shirt showing picture of David Smyth, her late husband who died of testicular cancer aged 28

David Smyth, a Virgin Active Personal Trainer and gifted cricketer died on 14thJune 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 3rd 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’.

Gymtopia Comment

We were shocked on hearing of David’s death at just 28. He was so incredible unlucky because survival rates from testicular cancer are high. While David was in hospital we read that he was planning on raising money for cancer research. Megan, his wife, Virgin Active colleagues, friends and family are now responding on David’s behalf.

We hope this page will also help in some small way by raising awareness of testicular cancer. Please do try and find five minutes to watch the video (the link is below).

Project by:Gymtopia

Gymtopia

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Location: Derby, United Kingdom
Start date: June 2013
Status: Ongoing
Impact: Global
Submitted: 23 August 2013
Causes:
Charity: Balls to Cancer