Jessica Hosken will be stepping out during Men's Health Week from Monday, June 15 to Sunday, June 21, 2026, to raise funds and awareness for Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA), in honour of her stepdad Michael Van Niekerk, who passed away seven months ago after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of prostate cancer.
The Noosa local has joined Walk for Him, PCFA's national walking challenge, which encourages Australians to walk 25km or any distance of their choice in support of men and their families impacted by prostate cancer.
Ms Hosken said she wanted to take part to help shine a light on Australia's most commonly diagnosed cancer.
"My stepdad had a very rare form of prostate cancer, so rare that his cancer journey is still being studied. He was given between six weeks and three months to live, but he was with us for 12 months. That would not have been possible without the treatment he received," said Ms Hosken.
"His oncology team fought so hard for him. He was doing so well with immunotherapy. We honestly believed he had beaten it. Then a full body scan found a lesion on his brain, and the cancer had travelled up his spinal cord. That was extremely hard for us to see happen to him.
"Michael had no symptoms before his diagnosis, so it was such unexpected, world-shaking news to receive. This fundraiser is so important to make people aware of prostate cancer and to get men tested. Funding is needed to save lives."
Nearly 29,000 Australian men are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, and nearly 4,000 men will die from the disease.
Ms Hosken is hoping to raise funds for PCFA, with funds supporting prostate cancer research, awareness and support services across Australia.
She will be walking 5km after work each day across the week, exploring some of the beautiful spots near her home. While most of her family are based in South Africa, she is walking in solidarity with her sister in Scotland, who is taking on her own fundraising challenge for prostate cancer awareness during the same period-a reminder that Michael's story is being carried across continents.
Ms Hosken encourages anyone who has been touched by prostate cancer to get behind the cause.
"It's just me over here doing this walk, but I'm doing it for Michael, and for every family that has been through something like this. I want to make his story count," she said.
Locals are encouraged to get behind Jessica and join the Walk for Him movement to help save lives.
Participants can walk 25km, or a distance of their choice, during Men's Health Week in solidarity with men and their families impacted by prostate cancer.
PCFA CEO Anne Savage called on the Sunshine Coast community to get involved.
"Walk for Him is a powerful way for Australians to raise awareness and funds in the fight against prostate cancer," Ms Savage says.
"This disease takes a significant toll not just on men, but also on their families, partners, and communities.
"Every step taken and every dollar raised helps fund life-saving research, specialist nursing, telenursing, counselling and support services for men and their families.
"With prostate cancer remaining Australia's most commonly diagnosed cancer, local action has never been more important."
To donate to Jessica, visit https://www.walkforhim.org.au/fundraisers/jessicahosken.
To sign up, visit www.walkforhim.org.au or phone PCFA on 1800 22 00 99 for support.
