O’Dowd pledges support to Prostate Cancer charity’s Men United campaign

by
Micheal McKenna
March 9, 2015

Upper Bann MLA John O’Dowd pledged his support to Prostate Cancer UK’s Men United campaign at the Sinn Féin Ard at the weekend.

The new campaign, which launched in January with a nationwide television campaign, aims to ‘keep friendships alive’ by encouraging men to see their mates more and do something great together to help beat prostate cancer.

The campaign launch coincided with a recent YouGov survey of over 2,000 men, conducted on behalf of Prostate Cancer UK, which revealed that 84 per cent of men believe that spending time with their mates is good for their health and well-being.

Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of Prostate Cancer UK said: “Over the past year, our movement for men – Men United – has caught the imagination, and a new zeal for change in men’s health – with more than 200,000 people signing up to pledge support.

“Men from all walks of life, from footballers to lawyers and politicians to plumbers, have formed a growing army, raising funds to find the answers for the future through research and supporting men now.

“Now entering its second year, we’re delighted to have the support of John O’Dowd MLA to help us on our journey to ensure every man facing prostate cancer gets early detection, effective diagnosis and better treatments.

“By joining Men United people will get to see their mates more, do something great together and help us beat prostate cancer. Whether it’s big or small, signing a petition or running a marathon, doing it together is what really matters.

“We know what starts with a quick ‘hello’, a chat in the pub or a barbecue with mates, can end with a nationwide army of men – ready to fight for their friends, themselves and men everywhere.”

Mr O’Dowd MLA said he was “honoured to be supporting Prostate Cancer UK’s latest drive to encourage more men to join Men United in the name of men’s health and to ‘keep friendships alive’”.

He added: “Seeing our friends is good for our health and well being, and with over 1,000 men in the north facing a prostate cancer diagnosis every year, men never know when they might need a friend to lean on, or be there for a friend who’s received the bad news.

“Investing in our friendships and being there for our mates is so important and I am wholeheartedly behind this campaign.”

For ideas of how you can spend time with your mates and ‘Keep Friendships Alive’, people are being urged to search Men United, and sign up.

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