Blue September Calls For New Zealand To Face Up To Prostate Cancer For Its Second Year Running
20 Aug 2009
The Prostate Cancer Foundation is about to launch ‘Blue September’ - a major awareness and fund raising campaign – for its second year running and it has fast gained momentum. September is international Prostate Cancer awareness month and has become a key focus for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand in publicizing the dangers of the disease, encouraging men to get checked and raising funds for on-going work for prostate cancer in New Zealand.
This year Blue September is again fronted and supported by a group of high profile New Zealanders: Paul Holmes, Wayne ‘Buck’ Shelford, Stu Wilson, Ruben Wiki, Sir Richard Hadlee, Peter Leitch (The Mad Butcher) and new-comers this year Kerre Woodham (broadcaster) and Neemia Tialata (current All Black). These celebrities appear in the Blue September television commercials running throughout September with their faces painted blue and will also be available for various media interviews and events.
Speaking about the campaign legendary former New Zealand all rounder cricketer Sir Richard Hadlee, aged 58, says:
‘Blokes aren’t good at talking about Prostate Cancer to their doctor or even to their friends. You have to ask yourself how many guys could have been saved in the past if they’d only been aware of the dangers and done something about it? So get real and get blue this September!”
Each year, over 2,500 men in New Zealand are diagnosed with prostate cancer and about 600 die from the disease. Half of these deaths might have been prevented by early detection, so Blue September is encouraging men to face up to prostate cancer and get checked! 100% of donations to Blue September and funds raised at events will go directly to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. The Prostate Cancer Foundation is proactive in developing public education and awareness programmes, developing a nationwide network of branch support groups, prostate cancer research projects right through to the lobbying of Central Government on matters relating to this disease, and donations will be used to continue these activities.
Barry Young, President of the Prostate Cancer Foundation, hopes that Blue September will encourage men to take responsibility for their health before it is too late. Mr Young says:
‘Men should talk to their doctors about being checked for prostate cancer from the age of 50 but these checks should start at the age of 40 if there is a history of prostate cancer in the family. Keep in mind that in its early stages this disease does not usually have symptoms. A man can be walking round with it developing in him and not know about it unless he has regular checks. If you can get onto prostate cancer early enough there is usually a better chance of curing it’
SKYCITY is also delighted to support Blue September by lighting Sky Tower blue for the entire month and hosting a major fundraising initiative. The ‘SKYCITY Blue September Challenge of the Codes’ poker tournament on 29 September will see players of both Auckland Rugby and the Vodafone Warriors challenge each other across the poker table to raise funds for prostate cancer.
SKYCITY Executive Manager for Table Games, Ejaaz Dean says SKYCITY is proud to be associated with Blue September. “It’s a worthy cause and we’re looking forward to hosting an evening of fierce competition and great entertainment and, most importantly, help spread the message and raise funds for Blue September.”
Throughout September donations can be made online and New Zealanders are encouraged to go to www.blueseptember.org to find out more about how they can get involved.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation is a registered New Zealand charity (Registered NZ Charity No. CC30635).
For further general information or if you are interested in playing a part in the inaugural SKYCITY Blue September Challenge of the Codes tournament please contact:
Connie Sprague
Media Relations Manager
SKYCITY Entertainment Group
Phone: +64 9 363 6409
Mobile: +64 21 505 638
E-mail: connie.sprague@skycity.co.nz
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SKYCITYAkl
For general information please contact:
Melodie Burton
Phone: 09 522 8607
Mobile: 021 269 2205
Email: mel@mwcmedia.co.nz
Events
25th-30th August - Cobra Car and Motorbike Tour
You’ll hear them before you see them.
25th-29th August - On the 25th of August a convoy of motorcycles will leave Invercargill, accompanying the Burt Monroe bike and Chevy that towed it in the movie ‘the World’s Fastest Indian’ motorbike will depart Invercargill and head up the country (a half-scale replica of the Indian will be raffled off). The convoy will make its way up the South Island snow-ball run style, picking up more bikes as it progresses – anyone’s welcome to join at any stage.
The cars will be stopping at Timaru Christchurch, Kaikoura and Picton.
29th – 30th August – Then on the 29th of August, Cobra cars will be arriving at Wellington PlaceMakers at 0800, departing on their journey North at 0945.
30th August - On the 30th of August, Cobra Cars from Napier, Taupo and Wellington will converge in Hamilton at the The Base, where they’ll be joined by Harley Davidson motorbikes and a collection of Blue September branded Mainfreight trucks. This convoy of blue will depart Hamilton at 11.00am on the 30th travelling through Huntly to Pukekohe, Manukau and Auckland City. Four Cobra Cars will be on display at 2.30pm at Queen Elizabeth Square, Queen Street.
Sunday 30th August – Sky City Blue-tie Cocktail Launch Event
Blue September is launching with the Sky City Blue-tie Cocktail party! Here, the Mayor of Auckland, John Banks will be making a key note speech, along with celebrity endorser Paul Holmes. The Chairman of the Parliamentary Health Select Committee, Paul Hutchinson, will also be attending. Close Up’s Mark Sainsbury is the MC for the evening, Frankie Stevens will entertain with a musical number and the Sky Tower will be turning blue for the month of September!
Towards the end of the evening two celebrities are challenged to do the ‘Sky Jump’ off the Sky Tower for prostate cancer.
Sunday 6th September – Give Your Dad the Finger for Father’s Day
“Give Your Dad the Finger” is the catch phrase for Father’s Day” on the 6th of September aimed at motivating children to encourage their fathers and grandfathers to get checked for Prostate Cancer. You can win a free men’s health check and there are many other fantastic prizes to be won – go to www.blueseptember.org for more details.
Sunday 13th September – Dawn Walk
On Sunday the 13th of September, people all over New Zealand will walk into a new day with the ‘Dawn Walk’. This walk is aimed at remembering those who have died from Prostate Cancer, but also honouring those who have it and are battling on. Walkers are encouraged to buy a Blue September t-shirt to raise funds for the foundation or get someone to sponsor them. Of course, everyone will also have their faces painted blue!
So far Dawn Walk’s are happening:
13th September
• Totara Park Manukau, 7.00am start – Assemble near car park entrance off Wairere Street.
• The Soundshell Marine Parade, Napier, 10.00am start – Assemble near the blue balloons and banner.
• Mt Victoria, Wellington, 7.00am start – via town belt bush walk trail.
20th September
• Shepherd Parks Beach Haven, North Shore, Auckland, 7.00am start – Access from Cresta, Beach Haven and Melba Streets
Friday 25th September – Blue Friday
On Blue Friday workplaces, schools and community groups everywhere will be turning blue – you can get involved! Wear something blue, paint your face blue and organise events to raise funds for Prostate Cancer!
PlaceMakers’ are holding trade breakfasts for hundreds of tradesmen, Care Chemist’s and Life Pharmacy’s all over the country are turning their stores blue, and many other groups are organizing fundraisers and events to support Blue September.
Blue Mondays
Every Monday throughout Blue September – Blue Mondays – look out for ‘blue people’ in your area handing out information about Blue September!
29th September – The Challenge of the Codes
SKYCITY will host a poker fundraising tournament involving players from Auckland Rugby and Vodafone Warriors who will challenge each other to win an individual place in the celebrity event of the International Festival of Poker tournament in October and collectively as a team to win the inaugural SKYCITY ‘Blue September’ Challenge of the Codes trophy.
Each player will be sponsored with all proceeds going to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
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