This year marks the tenth anniversary of the passing of Dylan Tombides.

Since the end of his brave battle with testicular cancer, the Tombides family, friends, organisations and supporters have worked tirelessly to share Dylan’s inspiring story to help other men and boys.

It was because of DT38’s work raising awareness of the risks of testicular cancer and the importance of self-checking regularly and the need to report anything unusual to a GP that Mac first sought advice after finding a painless lump in his testes.

We are so happy to be in touch with Mac and with his permission, share the story in his words.

“A few weeks ago I felt a lump on my right testicle. I didn’t think much of it – it wasn’t clearly defined like I’d imagined a tumour would be, but it felt more rigid than it had before. I wasn’t sure how long it had been that way, and I had no pain or other symptoms. I very nearly didn’t do anything about it.

“Then I thought of Dylan.

“Dylan’s story emphasised for me that this was real, and that this does happen to young men. It was that nagging thought that pushed me over the line to book an appointment with my doctor. Within two weeks I was in for surgery, saying bye to my right testicle, and with it, the cancer that had so nearly gone undetected. 

“I was first exposed to the DT38 Foundation through its presence at Perth Glory games, and I am so grateful for that, and for the efforts of everyone involved. My story could have been so different otherwise. Early detection is the difference between a fright, and a fight for your life.

“I am not shy in saying Dylan saved my life.“

Rest in peace Dylan Tombides
08/03/1994-18/04/2014