A brief introduction to a story of hope by W. Bro Stan Marut PPrJGD SLGR, Provincial Media Team and CHAPS Ambassador to the Province.
In July this year (2025) the Middlesex Masonic Charity (MMC) financially supported the PSA testing of nearly 400 Middlesex Mason by the men’s health charity CHAPS at both Harrow and Twickenham Masonic Centres. Much has already been reported about these two events and some of our members would have received the “all clear”, whilst others would have been advised to contact their GP Surgery for further investigation. It is pleasing that one of those who fell into the latter category has provided his own story as a way of encouraging others to have the PSA test taken. In this way the provision of funding by MMC has no doubt directly led to the saving of lives of members of the Province who without the PSA test may have been unaware of the danger lurking within their bodies by way of prostate cancer. The following testimony is provided by W. Bro Vernon Watts PPrSGD.
“My name is Vernon Watts, and I have been a Freemason for just over 32 years. I am currently a member of Sunbury Lodge No 1733 and Bushey Park Chapter No 2381.
I have taken up the very kind offer of a Prostate blood test at Cole Court on a few occasions provided by CHAPS and funded by the MMC. I didn’t have any symptoms regarding problems with my prostate. I’m 72 and had, what I considered, a normal bladder function for my age. However, PSA testing was on offer at Cole Court, and I took advantage of it. To be honest, it was a good excuse to pop down to TDMC and meet up with friends and chat for an hour. The results of my PSA were interesting. Last year’s result was within the (ok) bracket, but at the top end.
This year’s result was more concerning giving a higher PSA reading than before and classing it as an ‘AMBER’ alert. I was told to contact my GP and ask for further tests. This resulted in another blood test. It was the same reading that I had received from CHAPS and was informed that it was usual for a man of my age to have such a reading, but they would check to see if my prostate was enlarged – it was.
My GP referred me to the Urology Department at Kingston Hospital. Yet again, I was informed that the PSA reading was common for a man of my age, but they would organise a biopsy. When this was completed, I was given an appointment with a specialist cancer nurse at Kingston Hospital, where I was told, very nicely and gently, that I had prostate cancer.
Of the 20 biopsy samples, 4 were cancerous but, importantly, they were all contained within the prostate. The procedure was simple and painless, and I am awaiting treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton where I am to have 5 Radiotherapy treatments, spread over two weeks. Hopefully, that will be sufficient to clear all the cancer cells from my prostate. My message is simply this, Middlesex Freemasonry offer a very important health check courtesy of the MMC. I took advantage of this offer and, most likely, have given myself quite a few more years of life, than I otherwise might not have had. Brethren, I implore you, get checked by CHAPS and act on their findings when the facility next becomes available in the Province; your family and friends will be very grateful that you did. If in the meantime you have any qualms about your prostate health, you should see your GP and ask for advice.
Finally, I would like to thank the MMC, CHAPS, Middlesex Freemasonry and all the team at Province for their dedication to the well-being of Middlesex Freemasons.”
