London's Trafalgar Square turns blue for male cancer charity
19 June 2009
London's Trafalgar Square is supporting the Everyman Male Cancer Campaign by turning its fountains blue, using its newly installed LED lighting system, to highlight the charity's first ever 'Turn Blue Day' on 19th June.
Everyman raises funds for research into testicular and prostate cancer and the campaign is calling on other companies and individuals across the country to follow Trafalgar Square's lead and turn something blue in order to raise more funds for this vital research.
A recent OnePoll conducted by Everyman for this year's Male Cancer Awareness Month showed that 60 per cent of people surveyed in the UK still give the same amount to charity since before the credit crunch (an average £5.92 per month), so the charity is hopeful that current and new supporters will join in this new fundraising initiative.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "This is a very important campaign. One of the best defences against cancer is being aware and taking care - so don't be embarrassed chaps - look after yourselves and check for those tell tale signs."
Although the 19th June is 'Turn Blue' Day, people can turn blue at any time during June with ideas including turning their hair blue, busking the blues for loose change, hosting a blue-themed quiz or a karaoke night featuring songs from recently reformed boy band Blue. To download a fundraising pack, visit www.turnblue.org.
British comic Ricky Gervais has given his support to Everyman by urging men in his own unique way to get involved: "Everyone can do something to eradicate prostate cancer. Come on, pull your finger out. Unless you are a qualified doctor. In which case you know what to do", said Ricky.
Head of the Everyman Centre, Professor Colin Cooper said: "It is fantastic that the Greater London Authority is supporting us by turning the Trafalgar Square fountains blue for Everyman. We still need to find out so much more about prostate and testicular cancers so we hope that many other companies and individuals will also decide to Turn Blue this June and raise more funds for this research."
This annual focus on male cancer awareness is being supported by Everyman's corporate partners. Moss Bros is donating a portion of sales from two pure silk ties in Sky Blue and Navy Blue to Everyman; Debenhams is selling Everyman pin badges in all their UK stores; Screwfix is encouraging millions of male customers to 'check their tools' and support the sale of some quirky merchandise, while pizza chain Papa John's is selling a limited edition Everyman meatball pizza.
Prostate cancer kills 10,000 men in the UK each year which is one man every hour, while testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 15-44. With advances made at the Everyman Centre, testicular cancer now has a 99 per cent cure rate if caught early enough so awareness makes a significant difference.
All money raised supports the work of scientists in the Everyman Centre located within Europe's leading cancer research organisation, The Institute of Cancer Research, which is marking its centenary in 2009.
Media contact: Tatjana Trposka on 020 7153 5312 or email Tatjana@icr.ac.uk.
Notes to Editor
• Survey conducted by OnePoll with a sample size of 3,000
• Prostate cancer has overtaken lung cancer to become the most common cancer in men affecting more than 34,000 men every year in the UK. One man dies of prostate cancer in the UK every hour, a total of a total of about 10,000 men a year.
• Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 15-44 with 2,000 cases a year. However, it is 99 per cent curable if caught early.
About The Everyman Male Cancer Campaign
Everyman is the UK leading male cancer campaign which raises awareness of, and funds research into testicular and prostate cancer. Everyman funds research at The Everyman Centre - Europe's first and only centre dedicated to male cancer research. Everyman is dedicated to improving the survival rate of men with testicular cancer by raising awareness about the early symptoms. Its scientists have also led groundbreaking research into new treatments for prostate cancer. The Everyman Centre is located within Europe's leading cancer organisation, The Institute of Cancer Research. The ICR is marking its centenary in 2009, celebrating 100 years of world leading research into cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. For more information visit www.everyman-campaign.org
