“By the way, you saved my life” – a chance encounter taxi journey across Glasgow

It was just like any other day when taxi driver Brian Kelly picked up Tam Hewitt from the Mitchell Library in Glasgow and drove him home.

As they travelled through the city, the Glaswegian duo got chatting about Tam’s prostate cancer awareness work. After being diagnosed with the disease in 2005 and being treated successfully, Tam now spends much of his time running awareness stands and support groups.

So that day in the taxi, Tam was simply doing what he usually does and sharing some basic facts about prostate cancer. He explained that it often doesn’t have any symptoms and that having a PSA blood test can help find it early.

Brian said of their conversation, “It was great, very informational. There was no pressure or anything like that.”

At the end of the journey, feeling motivated by what he had heard, Brian made a commitment to Tam that he would look into getting a PSA blood test. “It may be a couple of months, but I will do it.”

Taking action: from taxi ride to PSA test

And a few months later Brian did just that, and asked his GP for a PSA blood test.

When his GP asked him if he was experiencing any symptoms, Brian said no – he was simply “following up on a commitment”.

After his results came back with a raised PSA level, further tests and scans confirmed he had stage 2 prostate cancer.

He took time to understand his treatment options, using information from Prostate Cancer UK’s website to choose what was right for him. He settled on brachytherapy, the same treatment as Tam – and was back at work within a week of his procedure, which went well.

Another chance encounter

A year later, by complete coincidence, Brian picked Tam up again in his taxi.

He shook his hand and took great pleasure in telling him that their conversation had saved his life. That one exchange had made all the difference, and gave Brian the confidence to take that first step and choose to get a PSA test.

The chance nature of how Brian came to be diagnosed is not lost on him. To say he’s grateful to Tam is an understatement – and the fact that he picked him up again was a wonderful stroke of fate. 

The power of conversation

Not everyone will have a life-changing encounter like this. But their story shows just how powerful a conversation can be, as well as the immense impact of volunteer work.

Tam doesn’t remember their first chat, because it’s one of ‘on average 1,000 conversations he has every year’ about prostate cancer through his role as a volunteer. “It’s become second nature to have these discussions to raise awareness.”

“I was completely taken aback when Brian asked to shake my hand. I have been raising awareness for over 20 years. Results like this make it all worthwhile and I'm sure all our volunteers will feel exactly the same.”

Now, almost a year on from his treatment, he’s feeling great. His health and fitness are as they were before, and he has PSA checks every four months.

The main change to his day-to-day? Now he has that conversation with men who get into his taxi… “you’re of a certain age, have you had the PSA blood test?”.

“I'm so grateful to all our incredibly dedicated volunteers, who have lifesaving conversations all the time”

Joseph Woollcott, Prostate Cancer UK’s Head of Health Policy, Education and Awareness, said: “It shows the power of men talking and looking out for each other.

“As the UK's biggest public funder of prostate cancer research, we're also proud to be powering the breakthroughs that will make screening a reality, and create better treatments with fewer side effects - giving our dads, mates, and partners the best chance of living longer, healthier lives.

“Everything we do is powered by donations from our supporters and the tireless work of researchers, advocates and volunteers like Tam, so a huge thank you to him and the thousands like him working to build a world where all men have the power to navigate prostate cancer.”

Help more men take their first step

By supporting our work, you’re helping fund vital awareness and life-saving research — giving more men like Brian the knowledge, confidence and power to take action, and find their way forward, at every step.

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