When David Pickard heard about Walker Baptist Medical Center’s Men’s Health Event in February 2017, he decided he wanted to volunteer. After all, as the manager of cardiovascular services at Walker, he was used to helping people improve their health and overall quality of life. It was his job.

But in a twisted turn of events, it was David’s health that stood in jeopardy that night.

During the evening of the event, David’s curiosity got the best of him, and he decided he would get an update on his own vitals. Wouldn’t hurt to know, he thought.

“At that event, I learned my numbers were high,” David said. And given his family history of prostate cancer, David knew he needed to follow up on his results.

After visiting Dr. Brian Stone, an urologist at Walker, David was then scheduled for a biopsy that utilized UroNav technology. This sophisticated imaging system generates improved images, allowing physicians like Dr. Stone to detect the exact location of suspicious cancerous lesions, even in its infancy stages.

And that’s exactly what happened. David had early onset prostate cancer.

“The hospital had just started using this specific technology at the time,” David shares. “It was definitely God’s timing.”

As with any cancer diagnosis, David was immediately overwhelmed. Still, he remained hopeful, knowing the disease was caught in its early stages.

“Close-to-home access to the UroNav technology was a game-changer [as it relates to early detection],” David said. “[I now know] how important it is to visit your doctor yearly to get a baseline for comparison overtime.”

At 55-years-old with a “higher than average risk”, David was delayed in the assessment of his prostate.

The American Cancer Society recommends that men with an average risk of prostate cancer should have this discussion starting at age 50. But, men who are at a higher than average risk should have the discussion starting at age 40 or 45.

Once the shock of the cancer diagnosis had subsided, Dr. Stone operated on David and thankfully, saw that the cancer had not spread.

Even after the surgery and throughout the healing process, David says, “Dr. Stone & his entire office staff were with me every step of the way, and they continue to celebrate with me when I go back for checkups.”

Today, David is cancer free!

“I couldn’t have asked for better care,” David says. “I’m just so thankful.”

David continues to enjoy life with his wife, Kathy, of 33-years. Together, they have two children and three grandchildren. He also serves as pastor of Eldridge Baptist Church.

To sum up this entire experience, David testifies that the doctors and nurses made him feel comfortable throughout a very difficult time.

“I may be a manager at the hospital, but I didn’t get any special treatment. I was important because I was a patient,” he says.