Luton woman to skydive for cancer charity after dad’s devastating diagnosis
A woman from Luton will jump out of a plane on Father’s Day to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer after her dad was diagnosed with the disease.
Faith Wandera’s life turned upside down when her dad, Davis, was told he had stage four prostate cancer in 2020.
He only got tested after a relative told him that Black men have a higher risk of prostate cancer, with one in four being diagnosed in their lifetime.
Despite finding out just two days before she turned 18, her parents decided to wait until after the celebrations to break the news to their five children.
She explained: “When I found out, I was just sitting there like… really? What you thought you knew about life and your family… it all changes.”
For months, her dad underwent gruelling rounds of hormone and radiotherapy, all while putting a brave face on for his family.
The 24-year-old said: “My dad is so strong… he doesn’t look at anything as negative. Everything happens for a reason – that’s how he sees it. He tried to shield us as much as he could.”
His resilience has inspired Faith to take on her biggest fear: heights.
On June 21, she will jump out of a plane in Northamptonshire, with the goal of raising £1,000 for Prostate Cancer UK.
She said: “If I can face my fear of jumping from 10,000 feet… he faced cancer and survived. At least I know what I’m getting myself into, he didn’t.”
Since finishing his treatment, Davis has faced other health problems, like kidney failure, requiring him to have dialysis. And during a routine check-up in the past few weeks, the 69-year-old was told his cancer had come back.
For Faith, this skydive means more than just facing her fear: “I know my dad will be down there waiting for me… that’s all I could ask for.”
She hopes her dad’s story will encourage other Black men to go out and get tested: “There were times I didn’t know if he’d be there to see me graduate and collect my certificate, which makes those moments even more special now.
“That’s why I want to encourage others to get tested, because early detection can make all the difference and help more families share those milestone moments together.”