Melville resident Daymon Joseph, enjoying a coffee at Blend Cafe in Melville, is a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor.
Camera IconMelville resident Daymon Joseph, enjoying a coffee at Blend Cafe in Melville, is a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor. Credit: Supplied/Marie Nirme www.communitypix.com.au d474570

‘Lucky’ Melville man to go on ride for lymphoma awareness

Bryce LuffMelville Gazette

DAYMON Joseph was lounging by a pool in Penang two years ago when he made what would turn out to be a life-changing discovery.

It was a lump, which doctors in Perth confirmed as aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The Melville resident said he was lucky to enter a trial in the USA for a treatment not yet approved in Australia.

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His two largest tumours were reduced to the size of a memory card and are inactive, while the third has disappeared completely.

“The long term prognosis is get on with life. No doctor will predict if and when it would return,” Mr Joseph said.

“This was the physically toughest thing I have dealt with in my life, going from being extremely active to struggling to walk 500m without lots of stops.

“I am the lucky one.

“This disease is very treatable for younger people and there are many other cancer sufferers with much tougher things to deal with than what I went through.

“I am really thankful I have some great friends and supportive family.

“I think a lot more about the disease post treatment than I did during treatment, and have a lot more questions now.

“It will most likely return at some point, but until then forget it and get busy.”

Mr Joseph said part of his plan to remain active involved setting up an October 21 ride to support Lymphoma Australia and bring awareness to a disease which more than 7000 Australians are diagnosed with each year.

“My goal is to raise sufficient funds to fund a lymphoma nurse who is trained in supporting patients specifically with lymphoma,” he said.

Care nurses provide plenty of support, helping patients and their families access information about the disease and treatments.

The ride, which is supported by his regular riding group, Blenders, will start at Blend Cafe before visiting Curtin University, the City, Wembley and Fremantle, before returning to Melville.

“I would like to have a goal of $100, 000 per annum in coming years, but on the 21st of October I would be happy to get $1000 towards the cause,” Mr Joseph said.

To donate, visit https://ride4lymphoma.everydayhero.com/au/lycra-for-lymphoma or go to Lymphoma Australia website.

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