Having advanced prostate cancer creates a conundrum for a sufferer and his family. How long have I got is the perennial question that virtually no specialist urologist can answer? What does one have to finalise in life and in what time frame when you are confronted with a terminal illness? Questions, questions, questions with no real definite answers. Diagnosis and selection of optimal treatment raise even more questions.

Treatment is not painful however it creates an emotional, psychological trip of unanswered questions.Family, friends, neighbours, colleagues and acquaintances do not know what to say or how to react with terminally ill patients so some take the easy option and avoid sufferers and this creates social isolation for the cancer patient. PCFA affiliated Support Groups do fill this void if only recently diagnosed prostate cancer sufferers are aware of the existence of Support Groups as many urology specialists do not inform patients of the existence of support groups.

Along comes Robbie Robertson from Scotland with a father who has prostate cancer and Robbie decides to make a difference. Robbie assembles a group of like minded men and women to pursue an idea, a concept that will make a difference, Table4Ten emerges to raise money for prostate cancer and to create awareness across a broad section of the community.

I have been lucky enough to sit through a Table4Ten committee meeting and I was amazed at the professionalism and commitment of these guys and girls; a virtual powerhouse of knowledge, contacts, commitment, camaraderie and desire to make a difference. How to turn a concept into reality unfolds with two successive years of Sydney dinners in 2008 and 2009 during “Blue September”. 500 to 600 dinner guests experience the best cuisine that Sydney has to offer followed by an “After Party” set to entertain the young professional into the early hours of the morning. Significant funds raised are donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia to finance many important activities like the NSW / ACT State Chapter Council annual conference held in Newcastle in 2009.

In 2010 “Table4Ten” is being expanded to Brisbane and Tasmania where committees exist to broaden their successful formula. I would like to congratulate Robbie Robertson, Darren Rudd and other T4T committee members on their vision and determination. Tony Sonneveld, 22 May 2010

Tony Sonneveld OAM
Prostate Cancer Sufferer,  
Chairman of NSW Board of PCFA