27 January 2009
From The Battlefield To Tackling Prostate Cancer - ‘The Snows’ Support Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
The broadcasting dynasty, ‘The Snows’, has come together in support of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in March. They will front a high-profile, in-store campaign in M&S stores across the UK as part of the retailer’s partnership with The Prostate Cancer Charity.
Legendary presenter, Peter Snow, his son, Dan, and Peter’s cousin, Channel 4 News’ anchorman, Jon Snow, were selected to front the campaign to highlight that a man’s chances of developing prostate cancer are two and a half times greater if a close relative, such as a father or brother, is diagnosed. Although Peter and Dan have worked together regularly on historical documentaries, this is the first time they have worked alongside Jon Snow.
The partnership between The Prostate Cancer Charity and M&S is now in its third year. This year, M&S will donate 10% from the sale of the Autograph range of men’s underwear for the first two weeks of March to the Charity. Trolley tokens and pin badges, for suggested donations of £2 and £1 respectively and each bearing the Charity’s blue man emblem, will also be on sale.
Dan Snow said: “Not many causes could tempt me to pose in my pants, but I was very keen to support The Prostate Cancer Charity. I was particularly interested in making men of my age aware that if you have a father or brother diagnosed with the disease, you could have an increased risk of developing it. Family is what matters to me - I love working with Dad on our documentaries - so the cause struck a real chord with me. I hope men, as well as their wives and girlfriends, will show their support and make sure they visit their local M&S store throughout the month.”
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month will aim to increase awareness, not only of prostate cancer, but of some of the inequities surrounding the disease, under the banner, ‘it matters’. 35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in the UK and one man dies every hour of the disease. Despite the scale of prostate cancer, the Charity believes there is still a long way to go to improve men’s experience of the disease.
Jon Snow said: “Although prostate cancer mainly affects men over 50, all generations need to be aware, which is why we were all so happy to be involved. I think it is so important, not only that men know about prostate cancer - but that we all mobilise and do what we can, be it volunteer, donate or spread the word, to show our support for the Charity’s drive to increase investment in research, make support and information more readily available and to raise awareness. It matters. It was great fun to work with Peter and Dan, not something we have ever done before in all of our years of broadcasting. It was a historic day, in fact.”
Peter Snow said: “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It is shocking that despite the scale of the disease, men report the worst NHS experience of all common cancers, and that more is not invested in research to find a new generation test. We should take the lead from women with breast cancer and put prostate cancer on the top of everyone’s agenda, from politicians, business leaders, researchers and all men - it really does matter. That is why I was delighted to support Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.”
Richard Price, Director of Menswear, Marks & Spencer: "We're proud to be supporting the Prostate Cancer Charity for the third year, helping to raise awareness of the excellent work they do. We're really excited that the infamous Snow dynasty wanted to get involved with us and I think the pictures are great in terms of highlighting the cause to our customers"
John Neate, Chief Executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity, said: “We are thrilled that ‘The Snows’ agreed to support our Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Their involvement, particularly the brave decision to pose in their underwear, should be a real talking point and help us get people thinking about prostate cancer. We are also very grateful to M&S for its continued support. The partnership, which is embraced by M&S staff and customers alike, means a huge amount to the Charity not just financially but by offering such a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness through M&S stores.”
Thousands of individuals and groups across the UK will join forces to show that raising awareness of prostate cancer matters to them. Aside from visiting an M&S store, there are numerous ways to get involved, from staging an information day to signing up to the Real Man Cup, a five-a-side football tournament, to raising funds. Anyone wanting to participate in Prostate Cancer Awareness Month can request an information pack from prostatecancermatters@prostate-cancer.org.uk or by calling 0208 222 7141.
ENDS
For high resolution images or to arrange an interview with Dan, Peter or Jon please contact the press office:
Vivienne Francis, Nikki Nagler or Claire Blackburn on 0208 222 7136/7670/7687. Out of hours contact: 0798 432 5001. Email: Vivienne.Francis@prostate-cancer.org.uk or Nicola.Nagler@prostate-cancer.org.uk
or Claire.Blackburn@prostate-cancer.org.uk
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PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH: Fact Box
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Notes to Editors:
- 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