The iconic Prostate Cancer UK ‘Man of Men’ logo will spectacularly showcase personal, poignant and powerful messages this Father‘s Day (Sunday 21st June) in an exciting and unique virtual venture.
That rate is largely due to increased awareness of the disease in recent years, and hot on the heels of the news, and their bid to get ground-breaking research back up and running again the exciting project was announced and provided a perfect platform for families to celebrate and commemorate their loved ones.
Designed by digital agency Psycle Interactive, the Dedication to Dad wall will allow supporters to click on a relevant icon and leave their message – and already many sons, daughters and loved ones have paid their own personal tributes.
The messages include one tribute from John Lines, from Mansfield. PGA Professional golfer John lost his dad to prostate cancer last year, and since then has embarked on a fundraising mission through his golf business, Golfsupport.com.
John has raised more than £4,000 for Prostate Cancer UK by donating a percentage of every sale, as well as rounded-up sales, to the charity. He also donated a prize for the charity’s online #StayPuttChallenge and is including Prostate Cancer UK literature in outgoing orders, raising awareness of the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK.
“I wanted to do something in honour of my Father after I’d not spent the time I could or should have done with him. This felt wholly appropriate to do as something which would honour him,” John says.
His touching message reads: “I’m who I am because of you, you taught me respect and honour too. Never forgotten, always in my mind. One more day, why can’t I rewind? I’d say I love you, we’ll be OK. With love on Father’s Day.”
In line with their mission statement ‘Men, We Are With You’, the leading men’s health charity has created a special public online space for dedications and tributes to dads and father figures as they shine a light on those affected by the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK.
Whether you are a dad, you have a dad or you’re remembering your dad, Prostate Cancer UK are asking the public to share a message or tribute on the new Dedication to Dad wall, where they can also make a suggested donation, to help fund lifesaving research and to give men more Father’s Days.
Bernard Lines and granddaughters Emily, Autumn, Charlotte
Highlighting what makes dads great, what we love about them and what we miss when they are lost too soon to prostate cancer, the Dedication to Dad wall is available on the charity’s Father’s Day hub prostatecanceruk.org/father with supporters able to donate and leave a message to celebrate or remember their dad.
Last week prostate cancer was announced as the UK’s most commonly diagnosed cancer for the first time, according to new figures – 10 years earlier than previously predicted.
As well as posting messages, supporters can also purchase one of three brand-new E-Cards, and order physical versions too in time for Father’s Day on Sunday, June 21st with all proceeds helping fund life-saving research.
Angela Culhane, Chief Executive at Prostate Cancer UK said: “Father’s Day is a hugely important date in the charity’s calendar and we’re really excited about our new Dedication to Dad wall, which will prove a wonderful place to display the ultimate tribute to all those much-loved Dads and father figures. We thank everyone who has made this project possible.
“We want to celebrate what makes our dads so special, remember those unique moments, the laughter, the good times and those magical memories, and pay homage to those no longer with us.
“Around 400,000 men are living with or after a prostate cancer diagnosis, and that number keeps rising. Now, for the first time ever, it has become the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, and we’ve reached this point a decade or so earlier than previously predicted, which is in part due to a big increase in awareness of the disease in recent years.
“There is still much work to do, and during this difficult time our aim is to secure the future of prostate cancer research and ensure more men and their families have more Father’s Days together.”
Alex Fry, the project director for Psycle, said “We’re delighted to work with Prostate Cancer UK in creating this unique message board at a special time of the year. The stats about prostate cancer are incredibly worrying, and so, at this difficult time for charities, it’s great to be able to support their work in such a vibrant and innovative way.”
Aside from featuring those special anecdotes on the Dedication to Dad wall, supporters may also see their messages showcased on digital Out of Home screens thanks to added support from the charity’s long-time partner Clear Channel.
In the week leading to Father’s Day the messages will be displayed on Clear Channel’s super-premium digital advertising screens in London, Glasgow and Liverpool with Dooh.com assisting the delivery of dynamic content as it happens.
Louise Stubbings, Creative Director at Clear Channel, said: “We’re proud to continue our partnership with Prostate Cancer UK to help amplify their Dedication to Dad Father’s Day campaign, utilising our medium as a platform for good. It’s great to see charities making the most of the digital capabilities of ‘Out of Home’ to deliver such important messages in innovative and standout ways.”
Andrew Phipps-Newman, Chief Executive of DOOH.com added: “This is a phenomenal campaign. ‘Dedication to Dad’ comes at a vital time for men’s health. It is a privilege to be involved – bringing awareness and delivering wonderful messages on screens across the country. This campaign is very close to my heart as my father was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The best news to come out of lockdown, was that he was at a low-grade risk and was able to be treated with pills – meaning he didn’t have to leave isolation. The importance of early prognosis cannot be underestimated, and this campaign is a powerful way to share that message.”
Go to prostatecanceruk.org/father to make a dedication and find out of all other activities in the build up to Father’s Day and help fund lifesaving research to give men more Father’s Days.
Prostate Cancer UK’s dedicated team of Specialist Nurses remain on hand to speak to and reassure men and their families currently affected by prostate cancer in the UK, and the implications of COVID-19. To speak to a specialist nurse or for more information call 0800 074 8383 or visit prostatecanceruk.org.