Donegal cancer survivor plans 60,000kg squat challenge to promote men's health

A Donegal cancer survivor is set to squat his way to his fundraising target this month by tackling a weighty 60,000kg challenge for Movember.

Aidan Hunter from Ards, Creeslough, who has battled testicular cancer twice, decided to take on the physical challenge of squatting 60,000 kg—the equivalent weight of 50 small cars—to encourage men to be more open about their health concerns.

“As a Personal Trainer I’ve always been very active and considered myself healthy and fit, so being diagnosed with cancer in my early 20s came as a complete shock,” the 31-year-old said.

“I remember my testicle started to change shape and size, and it became harder, which set off alarm bells. I went to my GP right away, and after seeing a specialist a week later, I was told I had a tumour that needed to be removed as quickly as possible.”

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Despite successful surgery in 2017, Aidan’s cancer returned over a year later: “I was told there was a 50/50 chance of the cancer coming back, but I still wasn’t prepared for it.”

Over three months of treatment followed, during which Aidan stayed active, even cycling between chemotherapy rounds.
“Exercise definitely helped me cope with my diagnosis and treatment,” he says. “It can be a very lonely and isolating time, so being able to get out and move a bit really helped me cope with what was happening.

“I consider myself emotionally strong, and during this time, I always asked for help. My family and friends rallied around me, and that’s why I take on these challenges for Movember—to show other men it’s okay to speak up about health concerns, get help and let them know that if they think something is wrong, they should get it checked right away. Don’t delay.”

Aidan still gets regular check-ups and hopes his fundraising challenge will remind and encourage other men to do the same.
An online personal trainer, he is aiming to complete 60,000kg worth of back squats throughout November.

“My goal is to squat 100 kg, 20 times a day for 30 days, assuming my body can handle it. I want to show others there is life and strength to be gained after illness, that you can come back after major setbacks, and, most importantly, I want to raise awareness of testicular cancer, especially in younger men, and inspire anyone with a health worry to get it checked out.”

This year marks 21 years of Movember raising awareness and funds for men’s mental health, suicide prevention, and prostate and testicular cancers. Men’s health is a national concern. Men are dying on average 4.5 years earlier than women, and for largely preventable reasons with 60 men every 60 minutes losing their life to suicide.