UPDATE - Issue 26 - Summer 2006
Awareness campaigns
We have been delighted by the number of supporters who have decided to help raise awareness of prostate diseases.
Some examples of your fantastic support come from the Rotary Club of Battle who recently sent us £1,000 as a result of President Marion Rigby nominating us as one of their charities for her year, after family experience of prostate cancer. Their awareness event last March was well attended. People could read our information leaflets and ask advice from a local consultant radiologist, a specialist nurse and the local Eastbourne Support Group. Local member of Eastbourne Support Group, Gerry Gillet said 'I applaud Battle Rotary Club's initiative. It provided key information for those who know nothing about the disease and encouraged men to face up to something that can be treated if tackled in time. I want to persuade other Rotary clubs in the Eastbourne area to arrange a similar event'.
Paul Grainger, after having successfully recovered from a radical prostatectomy, wanted to raise awareness amongst other men about prostate diseases and the importance of having regular health checks. He works for NHS Logistics and his employers were happy for him to hold a prostate disease awareness presentation and display our leaflets and posters. Paul tells us that many of his colleagues have now asked their doctors for a PSA test. His workplace now permanently displays our charity's posters and brochures in the men's washroom and is rolling out a two week presentation this summer to the other six NHS logistics depots across England. Paul comments, 'I hope that these presentations will inform my colleagues about prostate diseases, make them aware of the availability of the PSA test and encourage men around the age of 50, or older, to have the PSA test as part of their regular well-man check'.
It is a pleasure to work with the NHS!
If you would like help planning a similar awareness event or would like any of our information leaflets or posters to hand out then please call the office on 020 8877 5840.
(Claire Butler cycled coast to coast from Whitehaven 140 miles over the North Lake District and the Pennines to Sunderland. 'The thought of everyone's guest sponsorship and support helped my determination to get up those hills!')