Irish Cancer Society wants you to sock it to cancer this Father’s Day

One in three men will get a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime

This year in Ireland over 10,000 men will get an invasive cancer diagnosis. The Irish Cancer Society wants you to sock it to cancer on behalf of all men this Father’s Day.

With one in three men at risk of developing cancer during their life, the Society has launched a fundraising Father’s Day campaign to encourage men to put their health first. The campaign will help fund supports for men affected by cancer.

The Society has a new range of Father’s Day gifts including novelty No 1 Dad socks and IOU gift vouchers. Buy a gift and repay your dad for his lifetime of support, while making a difference to the lives of men affected by cancer. The gifts are available now at www.cancer.ie/fathersday

Cancer survivor Chris Latham from Stillorgan is celebrating Father’s Day this year as he awaits the birth of his second child. Chris feared he'd never hold his own child, after being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma aged 19. At the time Chris, now age 31, was told the treatment may make him infertile.

But his son Jack, who is now two, was conceived naturally and Chris and fiancé Marie are now excitedly expecting their second child.

“It was everything for me to be a dad and I'm so happy we got what we wanted most of all, despite everything that could have gone against us. After everything we have gone through I realise the importance of looking after my own health so I can and be there for my kids and I’d urge other dad’s to do the same. The best gift you can give your dad this year is remind him to look after his own health, and to fund supports for those men going through cancer. I tried to put on a brave face when I went through my cancer treatment, but you don’t have to do it alone. The Irish Cancer Society offers fantastic supports and information – and I’d definitely encourage men to take the help that’s there. Buy an Irish Cancer Society gift and you can ensure men who are diagnosed with cancer get the support they need.”

Money raised will help fund services to support men affected by cancer. The Society offers a range of information services highlighting ways men can reduce the risk of cancer. These include a Men’s Manual and services like Daffodil Centres and Cancer Nurseline.

Head of Fundraising, Mark Mellett said, “Father’s Day is one day in the year where we take the time to acknowledge how special our dads are. Typically dads will spend their lives supporting their children from the side lines; cheering them on, advising, defending, always there. While they’re concentrating on supporting their children they often side line their own health and wellbeing. Use this Father’s day to encourage the father figure in your life to keep an eye on their health, while supporting the fight against cancer. Men are more likely to be affected by cancer and receive late diagnosis. You can help stop this by purchasing an Irish Cancer Society Father’s Day gift and helping to raise awareness and fund crucial services.”

For more information on supports available and to purchase your Father’s Day gift visit www.cancer.ie/fathersday

ENDS