PlaceMakers Superhero Nails Million Dollar Charity Target

PRESS RELEASE
Auckland, November 2012

PlaceMakers Superhero Nails Million Dollar Charity Target

New Zealand’s newest Superhero - the PlaceMakers Blue Streak – pulled out all the stops this September and played a key role in propelling PlaceMakers to raise $1Million for the Prostate Cancer Foundation, since partnering with the charity four years ago.

Blue September is the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s campaign that increases awareness of the importance of regular prostate checks and raises funds for the disease that kills over 550* Kiwi men every year, making it the most common cancer among New Zealand men.

CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand, Keith Beck, says: “This year our campaign stepped up another level with the ‘birth’ of the PlaceMakers Blue Streak who dashed all over the country entertaining Kiwis and raising awareness of prostate cancer; a sensitive issue which can be a difficult talking point for New Zealand men.

“The passion and commitment shown by PlaceMakers staff to support Blue September never ceases to amaze me and I am thrilled that PlaceMakers has broken the $1Million mark this year, which is a testament to their commitment to our cause.

“We strongly value our relationship with PlaceMakers, which we regard as an integral partner in our awareness and fundraising activities,” says Keith.

Funds raised by PlaceMakers will be used for research into testicular and prostate cancer, public education programmes about testicular and prostate cancer, and continuing to provide pastoral care to New Zealand men and their families.

PlaceMakers Chief Executive, John Beveridge, is committed to the cause of supporting the Prostate Cancer Foundation for the long term. “PlaceMakers prides itself on health, safety and wellness, so we see our support of Blue September in driving awareness for prostate cancer, as our way of helping make sure that New Zealand’s sons, fathers, brothers, husbands and mates take care of themselves,” says John.

For more information about the PlaceMakers Blue Streak campaign including video links and imagery, visit www.placemakers.co.nz/bluestreak

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Notes to editors

For more information about the Prostate Cancer Foundation visit http://www.prostate.org.nz
For information about Blue September visit http://www.blueseptember.org.nz

All funds raised in New Zealand stay in New Zealand. The donations are used in New Zealand for:
• Support via 0800 PROSTATE & 0800 4PROSTATE helplines
• Education of the public about prostate and testicular cancer
• Research about prostate and testicular cancer.

Prostate Cancer in New Zealand
• Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand men
• 1 in every 10 New Zealand men will get prostate cancer in their life time
• Over 2,900 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year
• Over 550* New Zealand men die from prostate cancer each year
• Half of the annual prostate cancer mortality rate could be prevented by early detection
• Maori and Pacific Island men in New Zealand have the highest mortality rate of any ethnicity and higher also than the mortality rates of any indigenous peoples in the world
• Source Ministry of Health. 2012. Mortality and Demographic Data 2009. & Ministry of Health. Cancer registrations 2009 provisional data

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