The Yass Prostate Cancer Support Group has joined the quest to make prostate cancer ‘history’ this September and is calling on the community to join them.
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and to help raise funds and awareness, the local group of prostate cancer survivors are joining The Long Run, in support of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
They’ll be running, walking and wheeling 72km in aid of a prostate cancer moonshot, aiming to collectively cover 384,400km – the distance to the moon – to take research, nursing and support sky-high.
Yass Support Group leader Peter Gibbs said action was urgently needed, with prostate cancer recently overtaking breast cancer as Australia’s most common cause of cancer.
“In Australia, 66 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every single day – including many men in our own community,” he said.
“Our Support Group exists to raise awareness and support those diagnosed by walking alongside them every step of the way. We’re all in this together.
“Prostate cancer can be tough, but when we come together as a community, we can make a great difference, which is what The Long Run is all about.
“Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is the perfect time to take action. And if you’re a bloke, please make sure you also book an appointment with the GP to talk about getting tested.”
The Yass community can join the quest by registering at thelongrun.org.au.
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia CEO Anne Savage said thousands were expected to join the moon shot.
“This year’s Long Run is expected to be the biggest in history, with more than 24,000 Australian men likely to be diagnosed this year, including many men in the local community,” Ms Savage said.
“Of concern, the number of men being diagnosed with prostate cancer is increasing more rapidly than any other type of cancer, and the impact it takes on men’s lives is significant.
“Men with prostate cancer face a 70 per cent increased risk of suicide death, and 72 per cent of men do not access support for their mental health concerns.
“In response, we’re launching a moonshot to help make prostate cancer history. Our aim is to raise over $1.7 million for research and support, by calling on Australians to help us cover the distance to the moon.”
More than 240,000 Australian men have now been diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime – a figure set to increase by 43 per cent by 2040.
“We’ve come a long way – increasing survival rates to 95 per cent, but we will not stop until we defeat prostate cancer,” Ms Savage said.
“We’re asking those who want to join our moon shot in The Long Run to run, walk, or wheel 72km during September, in solidarity with patients and survivors.”
Register now via thelongrun.org.au. or for more information and support, call PCFA on 1800 22 00 99 or go to www.pcfa.org.au.
