WITH his ear-splitting cry, John Melody, is well known for making announcements in his role as Southampton’s popular town crier.

But John, 71, had some moving news of his own to reveal when he helped to launch this year’s Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life at Winchester and Southampton.

He is battling cancer.

John, who became the city’s town crier in 2004 after winning a competition organised by Meridian TV, had been feeling unwell but he could not put a finger on what was wrong.

Several visits to his doctor did not initially pinpoint why he occasionally felt nauseous. But when he saw a different doctor, within hours he was rushed to hospital for an emergency blood transfusion.

Tests revealed John had oesophageal cancer and he faced three months of intensive chemotherapy which made him feel very ill and lose over three stone in weight, but shrunk the tumours.

He is currently being monitored but has been free of treatment since March last year.

The retired teacher, who taught at several city schools – including 25 years at Southampton City College – said: “I still occasionally feel sick but, apart from that, I feel really well with lots of energy”.

As Southampton City Council’s town crier, John acts as master of ceremonies at major events and occasionally accompanies the Mayor on formal duties.

His step-daughter Jac Samuel, 52, is the senior research nurse at the Cancer Research UK Centre at Southampton where she heads a team of ten research nurses and his wife, Pauline, is a former director of nursing for Southampton and South West Hampshire Primary Care Trust.

John, who also has a stepson David and three grandchildren, added: “I received excellent care at Southampton General Hospital”.

His family didn’t believe he would be able to carry on as town crier after being diagnosed in October 2011 and they are grateful he could, as he loves the role.

John said he had loved every minute since his ear-splitting 104 decibel cry broke an instrument being used by Meridian’s presenter Fred Dinenage to measure the volume in a competition the station organised to find a new town crier.

“I am pleased I have a voice that carries. I love all the events I attend around the city”.

John benefited from research, which is why he is encouraging women in Hampshire to make a stand against cancer by signing up for Race for Life.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in partnership with Tesco is an inspiring women-only series which raises millions of pounds every year to help defeat cancer by funding life-saving research.

This year’s events are at the Garrison Ground and University of Winchester Stadium on Sunday, June 9 and at Southampton Common on Sunday, July 14.

Every hour, nearly five people are diagnosed with cancer in the south-east where Cancer Research UK spent nearly £25m last year on research.

That included more than £4m in Southampton where researchers have an international reputation for their work in ‘immunotherapy’, a type of treatment that harnesses the power of the body’s own immune system to target cancer.

Although the number of people diagnosed with cancer is going up – largely due to the fact that people are living longer and cancer is predominantly a disease of old age – thanks to research, survival rates have doubled in the past 40 years. More people across the south east are now beating the disease than ever before.

Rachel Northover, the events manager, said: “I hope John’s story will encourage more ladies to enter.

Together, we can hit cancer where it hurts!

“Cancer Research UK receives no Government funding for its groundbreaking research. There are over 200 cancers and we won’t give up until we find cures for them all.

“It’s fighting talk and we mean every word we say. Cancer, Southampton is coming to get you.”

Last year, over 7,700 women took part in Race for Life in Winchester and Southampton and raised over £450,000.

This year the organisers hope 8,000 will help to raise £460,000 for vital research.

n To enter Race for Life today go to raceforlife.org or call 0845 600 6050.