13 September 2022
WesCEF team members have joined the quest to make prostate cancer history this September by signing up for Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s pinnacle event, The Long Run!
Held during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, The Long Run calls on individuals and teams to run, walk or wheel 72km throughout the month to raise funds and awareness for those impacted by the disease.
Staff from WesCEF have formed 12 teams, and will be battling it out for highest fundraising spot.
WesCEF Senior Health & Safety Advisor, Lisa Moore said that prostate cancer awareness and fundraising is an area of focus for the organisation in 2022.
“Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer in Australia with 66 men diagnosed every day,” she said.
“For WesCEF, it’s about keeping the awareness and conversation going on prostate cancer. The disease has touched many of our employees’ lives so this is a great way for the organisation to openly discuss prostate cancer and show our support to those who are currently going through it or have been through it.
“We also love a challenge and have entered 12 teams, that’s 90 team members! Being able to participate in an event that pushes employees to be physically active whilst raising awareness and funds for prostate cancer will be very rewarding.
“We’ve started fundraising and can’t wait to take part!”
Ms Moore encouraged other organisations to join the quest to make prostate cancer history and play their part.
“It’s important to show support to charities that support people in our communities,” she said.
“We’re putting the challenge out to other workplaces to get involved and step it out this September for an important cause.”
Locals can get behind WesCEF by visiting www.thelongrun.org.au and searching for ‘WesCEF’ to make a donation to the teams.
Locals can also register their own team in one easy step via thelongrun.org.au.
PCFA CEO Anne Savage commended WesCEF for leading the way.
“The Long Run is expected to be the biggest in history this year, with increasing numbers of men being diagnosed and nearly 10 men dying from prostate cancer every single day,” Ms Savage said.
“The number of men being diagnosed with prostate cancer is increasing more rapidly than any other type of cancer, and the impact it takes on men’s lives is significant.
“Men with prostate cancer face a 70 per cent increased risk of suicide death, and 72 per cent of men do not get support for their mental health concerns.
“In response, we’re raising funds for research and awareness in our quest to make prostate cancer history.”
More than 240,000 Australian men have now been diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime – a figure set to increase by 43 per cent by 2040.
“We’ve come a long way – increasing survival rates to 95 per cent, but we will not stop until we defeat prostate cancer,” Ms Savage said.
“We’re asking those who want to join our moon shot in The Long Run to run, walk or wheel 72km during September, in solidarity with patients and survivors.”
For information and support, call PCFA on 1800 22 00 99 or go to www.pcfa.org.au.
ENDS
Media contact:
Laura McKoy | M.0435 094 788
