Iceland Foods and the Range are among a new collective of retailers, who have pooled resources to help raise awareness about prostate cancer.
The ‘Retail Together’ campaign, which also includes Wilko and Homebase, has partnered with Prostate Cancer UK to launch an information and fundraising campaign aimed at educating shoppers about their risk of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is now among the most common cancers in the UK, and the most common among men, with around 64,000 diagnosed with it per year. Often in its early stages there are no symptoms, meaning many men are diagnosed too late.
From March – which is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month – participating retailers will share a range of information and resources highlighting the disease across their stores and social media channels, aiming to dispel some of the common misconceptions that stop men getting checked. It includes information about how women can start conversations with the significant men in their lives about the disease.
Iceland, Food Warehouse, The Range, Wilko and Homebase stores will also display dedicated PoS featuring QR codes with links to Prostate Cancer UK’s online risk checker, where men can out more about their own risk.
“Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in men, yet too many still don’t know their risk or feel able to talk about it,” said Tarsem Dhaliwal, Iceland group CEO and trustee of Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation.
“That’s why we’re proud to stand alongside other major retailers this March to help reach millions of men with vital information. By sharing clear, accessible messages in our stores and on our social channels, we want to encourage men, and those close to them, to take a moment to check their risk using Prostate Cancer UK’s risk checker,” he added.
Iceland’s co-owner has a personal connection to prostate cancer after his father was diagnosed with the disease at an early age. He is an ambassador for the charity.
“We can make a far greater impact when we work together, and I’d encourage other retailers to join us in raising awareness during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. A simple conversation or online check could help save a life,” Dhaliwal added.
More retailers urged to get on board with the campaign
The collective have urged other retailers to join the campaign to help reach even more men.
“Supporting Prostate Cancer UK during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is incredibly important to us at The Range,” said Alex Simpkin, The Range CEO.
“With one in eight men affected, we have a real opportunity to help more people understand the risk and take action early. By sharing clear information in our stores and encouraging customers to use the charity’s risk checker, we hope to spark conversations that could ultimately save lives. We’re proud to stand alongside fellow retailers in this collective effort and we urge more businesses to join us in spreading this vital message even further.”
Prostate Cancer UK chief executive Laura Kerby said: “Prostate Cancer UK has proudly worked in partnership with the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation for more than a decade. It’s fantastic to be working with them once again to reach men to help them understand their risk of prostate cancer.
“Although prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, too many men are being diagnosed by chance. Having such prominent retailers commit to helping us reach men will make a huge impact.”
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