The hidden cancer in the media

18th February 2010

Men across London are urged to give prostate cancer the red card

The World Cup 2010 is just around the corner, and whilst football fans all over the country are crossing their fingers for a 1966 result, men across London will be locked in a battle of their own – The Prostate Cancer Charity’s Real Man Cup.

The Charity’s annual men’s five-a-side tournament is back and this year’s event, which is scheduled for Saturday 13 March, is promising to be bigger than ever. Men across the capital are invited to live out their childhood dreams and score a goal at Wembley – at the Soccer Goals Centre that is, to help give prostate cancer the red card during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

Football legend, Mark Bright, attended the Real Man Cup last year, to lend his top tips to the teams taking part on the day. Rumours are rife as to which soccer star will be on hand to coach the players this year.

Following the final whistle after a tense penalty kick out last year, Mark Bright said: “It’s great to see so many men giving up their Saturday for a kick about with a difference. The football skills on display were excellent and the teams were all in great spirits. The Real Man Cup is in a league of its own and I’ve had a brilliant day and feel like I’ve won the tournament myself.”

The Prostate Cancer Charity’s Head of Community Fundraising, Claire Walsh, said: “The Real Man Cup is quickly gaining notoriety as being top of the league of five-a-side tournaments. We are asking men across the capital to sign up and help us kick prostate cancer in to touch. All funds raised from entry fees will help the Charity to fight the disease on every front – through research, support, information and campaigning. The Real Man Cup promises to be a fun-filled day of action and camaraderie and as the event grows in popularity we would advise teams to sign up as quickly as possible to avoid disappointment.”

The Real Man Cup will take place on Saturday 13 March at Wembley Soccer Goals Centre. Teams can be made of up to eight players and the entry fee is £150 per squad. For further information please visit http://www.prostate-cancer.org.uk/help/community/RMC.asp or contact Gemma Cornwell on 020 8222 7630 or email gemma.cornwell@prostate-cancer.org.uk

Thousands of individuals and groups across the UK will also support the awareness month by staging awareness events, signing up for five-a-side football tournament The Real Man Cup, or taking part in a brand new fundraising initiative, Do Blue Day. Whether people encourage their colleagues to wear a sea of blue to work, jump into a bath full of turquoise jelly or cook up a storm with blue-themed foods, they will be raising funds, and critical awareness of the disease.  Anyone wanting more information can visit www.hiddencancer.org.uk.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

For further information contact: Claire Blackburn, Nikki Nagler or Vivienne Francis on 0208 222 7687/7670/7134. Out of hours contact: 0798 432 5001. Email: Claire.Blackburn@prostate-cancer.org.uk or Nikki.Nagler@prostate-cancer.org.uk or Vivienne.Francis@prostate-cancer.org.uk

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK. Every year in the UK 35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. One man dies every hour of prostate cancer in the UK.

African Caribbean men are three times more likely to develop prostate cancer than white men.

The Prostate Cancer Charity is striving for a world where lives are no longer limited by prostate cancer. The Charity is fighting prostate cancer on every front – through research, support, information and campaigning.

If you have any queries about prostate cancer, call The Prostate Cancer Charity’s confidential Helpline 0800 074 8383 which is staffed by specialist nurses and open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and Wednesdays from 7 – 9pm or visit www.prostate-cancer.org.uk