About prostate cancer awareness month March 2010

  • Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men
  • One man dies every hour in the UK

'Don't let prostate cancer hide' is this year's campaign to help get prostate cancer out in the open. It's a hidden cancer because not enough people talk about it. We can't see the prostate, and many people don't even know what it is or what it does.

Prostate cancer awareness month is all about changing that. The more we talk openly about prostate cancer, the more lives can be saved.

But we can't do it alone. People like you can help us spread the word or get involved in an event to help raise the profile of prostate cancer.

Read stories from people affected by prostate cancer

What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It can develop when cells in the prostate gland start to grow in an uncontrolled way.

What is the prostate gland?

The prostate gland is out of sight and out of mind. 70% of adults in the UK do not know what the prostate does. Only men have a prostate gland. It is the size of a walnut and its main function is to make some of the fluid of semen.

What are the risks?

Only men can get prostate cancer and the risk factors associated with it are:

  • Age: over 85% of prostate cancer cases are diagnosed in men over 60.
  • Ethnicity: African Caribbean men are three times more likely to develop prostate cancer than white men.
  • Family: you are 2.5 times more likely to develop prostate cancer if your father or brother has had it.
  • Diet: if you have a diet rich in fat, dairy products and red meat, this may increase your risk of developing prostate cancer.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Prostate cancer may cause similar symptoms to noncancerous prostate problems. Some men with prostate cancer may have no symptoms at all.

  • The following may be signs of prostate cancer:
  • A weak urine flow
  • Needing to urinate more often, especially at night
  • A feeling that your bladder has not emptied properly
  • Difficulty starting to pass urine
  • Dribbling urine
  • Needing to rush to the toilet, so that you may even leak urine sometimes

Other symptoms you may get include:

  • New pain in the lower back, hips or pelvis
  • Problems getting or keeping an erection
  • Blood in the urine or semen - but this is very rare

Who do I call if I have questions about prostate cancer?

It is recommended that you visit your GP or call our Confidential Helpline. We provide the only UK-wide prostate cancer Helpline staffed by prostate cancer specialist nurses. Our nurses offer free and confidential information and support to anyone affected by prostate cancer. Our specialist Helpline nurses receive thousands of emails and phone calls each year from men, their families and friends and health professionals asking for information about prostate cancer. You can phone them on 0800 074 8383 or visit the support faq page on The Prostate Cancer Charity website for answers to some of the most common questions we receive.

How can I donate to the Charity?

We offer a variety of ways to show your support. You can make a one-off donation to our work using the online form, or, to increase our long-term impact, you can pledge a monthly gift to the charity or give regularly through your company's Payroll Giving scheme. Gifts in your will are also crucial to our future support of men with prostate cancer. They allow you to make a lasting difference and leave behind a legacy of hope for years to come. Alternatively, you can complete the donation form enclosed in your information pack or click on the donate button on this website.

To find out more please visit our website: www.prostate-cancer.org.uk

Do Blue Day - questions on fundraising

Tell us what you are doing

It's a good idea to keep us informed of any activities or events you are holding when you register to take part - this way if anyone wants to check that you are in fact raising money for us, we can confirm this.

Fundraising and activity legal guidelines

There are a number of guidelines that you need to follow when fundraising for The Prostate Cancer Charity. All charity fundraising is regulated by law. Both you and The Prostate Cancer Charity could be fined if you don't follow the legal regulations. If you want more information, or are unsure of what you need to do for your event, please email info@hiddencancer.org.uk.

Here is a brief guide of things to remember. However some activities such as street collections and big raffles are more highly regulated and so you will need to contact us for further advice.

Do you need a licence?

  • You will need a licence from your local authority for any of the activities listed below:
  • Music and dancing
  • Sale of alcohol
  • Extended hours
  • Provision of food or drink
  • Copyright and royalties for drama or film shows
  • Collecting money or selling goods in a public place

Permission

  • Remember to get parental permission for children to help you at your event
  • If your event is on private property, get permission from the owner/manager

Collections

Please contact us before you start fundraising with collection tins. You need permission to collect in a public place such as a street or even door-to-door. Contact your local council who will tell you what the rules are. To collect on private property, such as a shopping centre you must ask whoever is responsible for it. We recommend that all collectors be over the age of 18, but please note by law all collectors must be at least 16 years old or accompanied by an adult.

Food and drink

Food safety laws apply when you sell food at an event and you must follow food hygiene procedures. Contact your local authority environmental health department for further information.

A licence is needed if you sell alcohol at your event, even if it is included in the ticket price. You can obtain a temporary licence from the licensing justice at your local magistrate's court and you will need to give at least one month's notice. You don't need a licence if you hold your event on licensed premises or ask a pub to organise the bar for the event.

Remember it is illegal to sell cigarettes, alcohol, solvents or knives to children. For specific advice on food safety legislation please con ta ct the Environmental Health Services dept at your local council .

Entertainment

If you are planning to have some form of entertainment (this means two or more people performing or dancing) in a building, which does not already hold a Public Entertainments Licence, you need to get one. This licence is provided by your local authority.

Raffles and Lotteries

For further information on raffles please do contact us. There are three types of raffle:

  1. Small lotteries are run during a one-off event e.g. a bazaar, fete, dinner dance or similar event (i.e. at events where the lottery is not the main attraction.) Tickets must be sold within the time and place of the event. Small lotteries such as these do not need a licence.
  2. Private lotteries are run within any residential environment, workplace or club. They do not require a licence. No publication of the lottery is permitted outside the premises of the organisation or group. The sale of tickets must be confined to people living or working in the same premises or who belong to the group. Cloak room tickets can be used.
  3. Society lotteries are bigger lotteries which need to be registered with your local authority as you will require a licence . Tickets can be sold in advance of the event and the lottery can be promoted to the general public. Contact us for further details.

Raffle legalities

Remember lottery tickets are not allowed to be bought or sold by under 16s.

Tickets and books of tickets must only be sold for the price printed on the ticket (i.e. there must be no discounts such as 5 tickets for the price of 4.)

Lotteries, raffles and some prize draws are regulated under the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976 and the Lotteries Regulations 1993. A guide entitled "Lotteries and the law" is available on the Gambling Commission's website: www.gbgb.org.uk .

How do I get sponsored?

Either use the sponsorship form in the pack or download one from the website. Or to manage this online simply create a fundraising page on the Justgiving website.

  1. Go to www.justgiving.com/prostatecancer and click 'raise money' and 'create your page'
  2. Select the event Do Blue from the list, enter your email address and fill in the information to register
  3. Chose your webpage name
  4. You can then title your page, add an image and personalise how you say thank you. Please enter the following text into the personal message section:
  5. Send the page to all your friends and family and ask them to sponsor you. You can find tips about spreading the word in the 'your fundraising page' section. Be sure to update your personal message with what you'll be up to.
  6. Justgiving will collect the money from your sponsors, send them a thank you email and send the money to The Prostate Cancer Charity.

Sending in your money

Please make sure that all remaining stock and money you raise or collect is sent to The Prostate Cancer Charity as safely and quickly as possible. It's a good idea to get two different people to count and check the money.

Cheque or postal order

Please send us a postal order or cheque for the amount raised, so that you don't have to send cash in the post. All cheques and postal orders should be made payable to 'The Prostate Cancer Charity' and sent to

The Prostate Cancer Charity
Cambridge House
100 Cambridge Grove
London W6 OLE.

Please include your name and address details and a brief description of where and how the money was raised.

Branding

By law, The Prostate Cancer Charity registration number in England and Wales (1005541) and in Scotland (SCO39332) must appear on all posters and advertisements that invite people to participate or help. However, you do need to ask us before using our logo or name.

Health and safety at Work Act

  • Remember that the Health and safety at Work Act 1974 applies to volunteers as well as to paid workers
  • You will need to consider whether and how your event could be harmful - to organisers, guests, volunteers, and the public - and think how you can minimise any risk.

Insurance

You must comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and all other relevant legislation. If you organise an event that involves the public in any way, you will need to ensure you have public liability insurance . The Prostate Cancer Charity cannot accept responsibility for accidents, so make sure that your event is safe for all concerned.

Do Blue Day prizes: terms and conditions

This year there will be a prize for the top fundraisers and also a prize draw for everyone who registered to take part in Do Blue Day.

If you have any photos or interesting stories about the event, please send them to us as we would love to see and hear about your activity and we may use them on our website next year.

Terms and conditions

This competition is run by The Prostate Cancer Charity, Cambridge House, 100 Cambridge Grove, Hammersmith, London, W6 0LE.

  1. This prize offer is open to any individuals who register to organise a do blue event and proceed to organise a do blue event in the UK to raise funds for The Prostate Cancer Charity. The prize will be awarded to the first named individual (the entrant) who is listed in the registration form. The prize will be awarded to the individual who is considered to have held the best event in accordance with the following criteria:

    • The amount of money raised
    • The innovation/creativity of the organiser
    • The best photographs to illustrate this
    • The most moving/inspirational story of why money was raised for prostate cancer.

  2. All funds promised must be paid to The Prostate Cancer Charity by 14th May 2010, combined with a completed paying-n funds form to qualify for the competition.

    Funds and paying-in forms can be sent to THE PROSTATE CANCER CHARITY at The Prostate Cancer Charity, Cambridge House, 100 Cambridge Grove, Hammersmith, London, W6 0LE.

    Alternatively, the feedback section of the paying in form can be completed by emailing details of the event, with electronic versions of the photographs, to info@hiddencancer.org.uk

    Only one entry allowed per person.

  3. The winner will receive:

    Tickets for 12 people to take a River Cruise on the Thames and a ride on the London Eye.

    The trip to London must be claimed by the 31st December 2010.

  4. The winner must contact The Prostate Cancer Charity to arrange a date suitable for both themselves and the Charity. This may also be influenced by the availability of tickets for the River Cruise.
  5. There is no cash or alternative prizes available and prizes are not transferable. The Prostate Cancer Charity reserves the right to offer an alternative prize of equivalent value at any time.
  6. If the winner or a member of the team is a wheelchair user, The Prostate Cancer Charity must be pre-warned so that a booking can be made accordingly.
  7. The Prostate Cancer Charity is not responsible for entries that are damaged, delayed, or lost in the post. Proof of posting is not proof of delivery.
  8. The winners will be notified in writing by The Prostate Cancer Charity by the 11th June 2010.
  9. In the event of any dispute regarding this competition and all matters relating to it the decision of THE PROSTATE CANCER CHARITY is final and no correspondence or discussion will be entered into.
  10. Winner maybe requested to take part in promotional activity and The Prostate Cancer Charity reserves the right to use their names, photographs and audio or visual recordings in publicity.
  11. Subject to the proceeding paragraph, any personal data relating to entrants and their teams will be used solely in accordance with current UK data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to a third party without the individuals' prior consent.
  12. THE PROSTATE CANCER CHARITY cannot accept any responsibility for any damage, loss injury or disappointment suffered by any entrant (including any member of their team) entering the competition, or as a result of accepting any prize. THE PROSTATE CANCER CHARITY is not responsible for any problems non-availability, cancellation or problem with the performance, the transport provided, traffic congestion, or for any other component of the prize.
  13. This competition and these terms and conditions will be governed by English law.

Do Blue prize draw for M&S vouchers

  1. Anyone signing up to participate in a Do Blue event during prostate cancer awareness month 2010 by returning a Do Blue postcard will be entered into a prize draw to win one of the vouchers donated by M&S.
  2. The draw will take place on 14th May at the offices of The Prostate Cancer Charity and the winners will be notified in writing by 11th June 2010.