Staff from pharmaceutical company, Cipla Australia are putting their best boots forward and striding out to raise awareness and funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA).
The pharmaceutical company has a team of 11 employees from its Urology/Oncology department taking part in the Foundation’s Walk For Him campaign this week.
Each team member will be striding their way towards a total of 49,000 steps by the end of the week – and at the same time raising money for prostate cancer research, nurses, advocacy, awareness and support for patients.
Every day in Australia, 49 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer while another nine die from the disease.
Cipla Australia Regional Vice President Australia and New Zealand, Hitesh Vachharajani, said: “This is a cause that’s close to the heart for the Cipla team, with each member actively involved in helping prostate cancer patients receive access to therapies and education through the Foundation.
“I would like to thank them not only for the special work that they do but for their commitment to raising awareness about this disease, which one in six Australian men are diagnosed with by the time they are 85.”
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among Australian men and is the second most common fatal cancer after lung cancer.
The Cipla team have come up with some innovative ways of achieving their 49,000 steps, from bushwalking to walking the dog in the rain, and even playing golf.
“One of the main motivations for me to do Walk For Him was because in my work I get to see how dedicated the PCFA nurses and the incredible multidisciplinary clinical teams are in supporting men with prostate cancer,” said Cipla team member Peter Moxham.
“I’ve also had a number of close family friends impacted by prostate cancer and have seen how they’ve benefited from the care of these teams.
“49,000 steps in a week is a very small distance to walk for such a great cause – but very symbolic when you think about the prevalence of prostate cancer.”
Fellow team member Ken Abbott has bought his dog a winter raincoat so they can brave the winter weather together while walking towards their 49,000-step target.
“My involvement is based on the same reasons that I love working in the PCFA space. So often I walk into clinics or surgeries and see chaps waiting with their families and I can see the worry on their faces,” he said.
“During my time, I’ve seen families crying at the awful news that one of the pillars of their family has been told they have prostate cancer. These scenes make you appreciate the important things in life and anything I can do to give these families help and hope is a small sacrifice.”
PCFA CEO Anne Savage said there is still time for anyone keen to take part in Walk For Him to sign up.
“Awareness saves lives – we know that we can make great strides with Walk for Him,” she said.
Walk For Him takes place between Monday 13 June and Sunday 19 June.
Join the campaign at walkforhim.org.au or call PCFA on 1800 22 00 99 for support.
