Almost 20 years ago, Greig\u2019s prostate-specific antigen levels in his blood tests began creeping up. Each time he was told the results were in the \u201cnormal range\u201d and nothing to worry about.<\/p>\n
Holland said his dad was not convinced and pushed for a specialist referral. <\/p>\n
The specialist tests confirmed prostate cancer. <\/p>\n
\u201cI still have my dad,\u201d Holland said. If it wasn\u2019t for that screening catching the cancer early, however, \u201cI could have lost him\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the scary thing\u201d.<\/p>\n
The experience shaped Holland\u2019s own approach to prostate examinations. He has been having regular checks since his early 30s and was often told he was \u201ctoo young\u201d.<\/p>\n
For Holland, prostate cancer wasn\u2019t just a family matter. <\/p>\n
Extended family, friends and colleagues had also been diagnosed. He said the realisation of how many people he knew had been impacted was \u201cquite shocking\u201d.<\/p>\n
That sparked his campaign, Pedalling for Prostate.<\/p>\n
The initiative was a nod to his 2005 effort when, as one of New Zealand\u2019s top young downhill riders, he sat on a stationary wind trainer in Rotorua\u2019s City Focus for more than 12 hours, raising funds to compete at the Mountain Bike World Championships in Europe.<\/p>\n
Holland launched his training and new fundraising push in February. <\/p>\n
But despite more than 35 years of experience on the trails and competing at the highest levels, almost immediately he suffered what he described as \u201cone of the most significant crashes\u201d of his career.<\/p>\n
A \u201csimple mistake\u201d \u2013 forgetting to wear gloves \u2013 let his sweaty hands slip off the handlebars.<\/p>\n
The fall left him with multiple fractured ribs, a bruised liver and heavy bruising down his right arm and lower back.<\/p>\n
For many, it would have been reason enough to call it quits.<\/p>\n
Instead, Holland swapped the forest trails for his home wind trainer.<\/p>\n
At first, he rigged it up with his mother-in-law\u2019s \u201cgranny bike\u201d but eventually upgraded to a \u201cproper training set-up\u201d.<\/p>\n
By the end of March, he completed a 45km outdoor ride alongside his dad, capped off with a well-deserved cold beer.<\/p>\n
Ex-pro mountain biker Tom Holland in his new race kit ahead of the Whaka100, where he\u2019s riding to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer. Photo \/ Annabel Reid<\/p>\n
From there the kilometres stacked up. Holland averaged 150-200km a week, splitting his time between the road and the forest. <\/p>\n
Best mate Craig Pattle<\/a>, another former pro rider, joined him for training rides. The two pushed each other hard, as they had as teenagers.<\/p>\n The pair would complete the Whaka100 race together, though Holland intended to finish faster.<\/p>\n Holland said his training had many unexpected bonuses, one being shedding more than 10kg and losing the \u201cdad bod\u201d that had crept in. <\/p>\n Holland\u2019s Pedalling for Prostate campaign quickly gained momentum. Local, national and international businesses and suppliers rallied behind him, and Rotorua Rotary Club connections helped spread the word.<\/p>\n He has already raised more than $5000, with donations still open.<\/p>\n On the tough days \u2013 long rides in the rain, late nights after work, or hours grinding on the trainer \u2013 those backers were front of mind, Holland said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you\u2019ve got people putting money into the cause, you don\u2019t want to let them down,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation New Zealand, prostate cancer is the most common cancer<\/a> in New Zealand, with about 4000 diagnoses every year. <\/p>\n M\u0101ori men were 50% more likely to die once diagnosed than non-M\u0101ori. Some 61% of survivors report having no symptoms at diagnosis, the foundation said. <\/p>\n Holland said misconceptions around prostate examinations often stopped men from getting tested.<\/p>\n People think it\u2019s always invasive,\u201d he said. But often by the time you can feel the prostate is enlarged, it\u2019s too late. A prostate-specific antigen blood test was the \u201cbest way to catch it early\u201d, he said. <\/p>\n The foundation said it tests for a protein made by prostate cells, which if elevated above age norms, can indicate a problem.<\/p>\n September is recognised as Blue September, New Zealand\u2019s annual Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. <\/p>\n Other Kiwis who sought to raise awareness of prostate cancer during Blue September last month included Tauranga amputee Denise Moorhouse<\/a> and the family of late Rotorua father Daniel Hazelwood<\/a>.<\/p>\n To back Holland\u2019s Pedalling for Prostate campaign, head to: fundraise.prostate.org.nz\/fundraisers\/TomHolland <\/a><\/p>\n