Radio Dannevirke DJ Murray Cushing, left, with Samantha Freeman, manager of the Dannevirke Leader and Watt store, and Radio Dannevirke's Jim Ryan, supporting Blue September.
Radio Dannevirke DJ Murray Cushing, left, with Samantha Freeman, manager of the Dannevirke Leader and Watt store, and Radio Dannevirke's Jim Ryan, supporting Blue September.
Every year 600 men in New Zealand die from prostate cancer.
This is because men don't know how dangerous the disease is. They don't talk to their doctor and simply don't do anything about it. But deaths from prostate cancer can be avoided if the disease is detected early enough.
"Most men know more about the workings of their tractor, than their pipe work," Radio Dannevirke announcer Jim Ryan said. "But if we men knew our bodies better we'd find they are better machines than our tractors."
Supporting Blue September, the Prostate Cancer Foundation's annual awareness campaign, Mr Ryan and fellow Radio Dannevirke announcer Murray Cushing are determined to spread the word, as well as raising money for the foundation.
This week they collected more than $200 on High St and will be back out collecting next Thursday, September 21. Radio Dannevirke will also run a barbecue outside the Warehouse on Saturday, September 23.
"Jim and I are in that age group and believe it's important to put the focus on prostate cancer," Mr Cushing said.
Dannevirke Leader and Watt store manager Samantha Freeman is supporting Blue September, decorating the store window and selling blue ribbons to raise money for the foundation which receives no government funding.
"The community gets behind the Cancer Society's annual Daffodil Day, but Blue September seems to be a little bit forgotten," she said. "Every little bit of support helps and men's health is important."
Mr Cushing said he's hoping the incoming government will seriously consider funding for organisations such as the Prostate Cancer Foundation. But in the meantime Radio Dannevirke is running the Jason Gunn promotional advertising, with the costs generously picked up by Grant Hurrell at Tararua Funeral Services.
"So long as the money from the advertising goes into cancer funding, he's been very happy to help," Mr Ryan said.
"The biggest thing we men can do is have an annual medical check and the blood tests for prostate cancer detection.
"Even having a physical exam only means a couple of minutes of discomfort," he said. "The more we can spread the word in the community, the more people become aware."
But it seems men in Dannevirke are somewhat reluctant to come forward and talk about prostate cancer.
"On Tuesday mornings I have women offering to talk about prostate cancer and what their husbands have been through, but not their men," Mr Ryan said.
