Ordinary Kiwi blokes put aside their pride recently and donned blue hair, toenails, lucky undies and other blue-hued trinkets as PlaceMakers kicked off its support campaign for Blue September, marking a month of “Blue Do’s” around the country.
PlaceMakers, principal sponsor of prostate cancer national awareness month Blue September, has raised more than $480,000 in the past three years, and is once again gearing up to contribute towards funding ground-breaking research projects, support services for survivors and their families, and year-round education campaigns.
The “Blue Do” campaign for Blue September is encouraging Kiwis to get together with mates, colleagues, family and social groups to hold a fundraising social event to raise vital funds.
All 58 PlaceMakers stores nationwide will be holding their own “Blue Do” events, as well as selling 25,000 of the popular blue builders pencils at checkouts.
PlaceMakers general manager Bruce McEwen says the company was enthusiastic to get stuck into raising as much money as possible for the cause.
“It’s incredible to think that one man is diagnosed with prostate cancer every three hours in this country, as well as one or more dying each day.
“We’re right behind Blue September, and the goal to bring these numbers down by raising the vital funds needed to keep fighting this terrible cancer in our men,” Mr McEwen says.
“Our ‘Blue Do’ activities this year are designed to get our customers and communities involved in Blue September, whether that’s coming along to an event at your local store or simply buying a couple of pencils — every contribution counts.”
PlaceMakers Mt Wellington retail operations manager Rusty Brooke says getting into the spirit of Blue September was something his team looked forward to every year.
“Most of our staff and customers are blokes so it makes perfect sense that we get behind the Blue September campaign and ensure we’re motivating our guys to get a check-up, as well as encouraging their wives, partners, sisters and daughters to keep on the case!”
To find out more about a PlaceMakers “Blue Do’near you, go to www.placemakers.co.nz/blue-do.
