Galway star reveals his own cancer to spearhead new campaign

Date Published: 30-May-2012

The Cancer Care West logo on the front of the Galway football jersey has a considerably added significance for one of the county’s longest serving stars – because he has spent the last six months battling the disease himself.

Corofin’s Damien Burke was diagnosed with testicular cancer five days before last Christmas – at the age of 28, he was at the peak of his prowess having represented his county at all levels as well as winning county and Connacht titles with his club.

Now, having made a full recovery and playing his part in Galway’s big win over Roscommon, the Transport Engineering graduate is now spearheading a new cancer awareness campaign called “Catch it Early” – which is why he spoke out about his battle this week.

The campaign will feature a website link appearing on the Galway Football and Galway Hurling website and will be rolled out to all other county Galway clubs that have a website.

Throughout last September and October, Damien noticed one testicle was larger than the other, very hard and a dead weight feeling but he felt no pain. Like a lot of people Damien put it on the long finger allowing his football training and work to take priority. He thought the swelling would eventually disappear pointing out that it did not feel like a groin strain. But it did not disappear.

The youngest of three children, Damien works for the family business, Burke’s Bus in Tuam. He has one brother and sister, he attended St. Jarlaths College in Tuam and graduated with a degree in Transport Engineering at Dublin Institute of Technology in 2004. The inter-county footballer lives a healthy lifestyle of daily training, a balanced diet and experienced excellent health until his diagnosis.

“The swelling and uncomfortable feeling continued throughout the three months until one night in December while attending an event the pain became so excruitating I told my friend and decided to make an appointment with my local GP in Tuam the following day," he said.

Read Damien’s full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.