Duncan Nicholls, Placemakers Te Rapa owner, called the overall day a success with more than 40 men getting checked. Photos / Tom Rowland
Duncan Nicholls, Placemakers Te Rapa owner, called the overall day a success with more than 40 men getting checked. Photos / Tom Rowland
Builders from the Waikato gathered at Ngaruawahia Golf Course on Friday to play golf and raise awareness of prostate cancer.
For the past six years Placemakers Te Rapa have held the golfing event to encourage men to take the time to have a blood test to check for prostate cancer.
The sun came out early on the day as those in attendance headed to the green early to test their skill on the course.
For some this was an easier challenge than having a blood test, but more than 40 of the 120 men who took part took time out to get themselves checked.
Duncan Nicholls, store owner of Te Rapa Placemakers said the overall day was a success.
"The day was nice and everyone was happy and well supportive of the event," Nicholls said.
"We had 26 teams entered which was a strong turnout. We had 30 teams in total that signed up but some had to work on the day."
Placemakers had put on the event and has been a firm supporter of of prostate cancer national awareness month Blue September for six years. Each year has been a strong turnout.
"I know that our builders enjoy a golf event so we just coincided the two ideas into one." Mr Nicholls said it was important for the events to keep going and for men to get checked early.
"For a simple blood test it is important and if we can get them doing it on a regular occasion it will be good.
"If they get the signs early then it is easier to treat so it is very important.
The event is just another avenue for those involved to get checked up.
Former All Black captain Buck Shelford was also in attendance as an ambassador for Blue September.
A cancer survivor himself, Shelford gave the men a talking to and told them that they had to look after themselves.
Employees from Placemakers took time out of their game of golf to get tested for prostate cancer. Photos / Tom Rowland
Bruce McEwen, PlaceMakers general manager, said the company was enthusiastic to get stuck into raising as much money as possible for the cause.
"It's incredible to think that one man is diagnosed with prostate cancer every three hours in this country, as well as one or more dying each day," said Mr McEwen.
"There's bound to be a fair few men, and their families, in Waikato who are struggling with this terrible cancer right now, and that's exactly why we are getting behind this very important cause." he said.
Placemakers, principal sponsor of prostate cancer national awareness month Blue September, has raised over $480,000 in the past three years.
This year the Te Rapa branch raised over $3000 towards the prostate cancer foundation.
The Blue Do campaign for Blue September encouraged Kiwis to get together with mates, colleagues, family and social groups to hold a fundraising social event to raise vital funds.
