Main Street goes blue in time for September

On 1 September, the Council will flick the switch on new lights installed in Upper Hutt’s Main Street which will see the street go blue in support of Blue September; a nationwide prostate awareness campaign encouraging men to ‘get blue’ and face up to a disease.

As part of the CBD Upgrade Programme, the Council installed new street lights in Main Street. Blue feature spots installed at the top of each pole, vibrantly illuminate the street below. Flicking the switch on the new lights for the first time on 1 September is timed to support the Blue September campaign and also marked the completion of the Council’s CBD upgrade programme.

Every year in New Zealand, prostate cancer kills 600 and affects 2,500 men. “These figures are alarming because they are higher than the road toll,” says Keith Beck, CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand. He says the frustrating thing is that nearly half of these lives might have been saved through early detection. “Because symptoms of the disease do not usually show until further down the track most men don’t know they have it. Many of these deaths could be prevented if all men over 40 visited their doctor more regularly and had an annual Prostate Specific- Antigen (PSA) test.”

In September, landmarks all over the country will be lit blue in support of the campaign. A number of high profile New Zealanders are also supporting the campaign including All Black legend Buck Shelford, former Tall Black Brendon Pongia, author and broadcaster Kerre Woodham, Shortland Street star, Ido Drent, Sir Peter Leitch (The Mad Butcher), MasterChef New Zealand winner Brett McGregor, New Zealand Rugby League player Ruben Wiki and All White Leo Bertos.

For further information on Blue September, visit www.blueseptember.org

ENDS

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