06 August 2015
<br /><span style="color: #0080ba;">#Pass4Prostate</span> tackles men’s health issues via social media
Thursday 6 August 2015 – Sydney, Australia – The Australian Wallabies are using their historic match against the USA Eagles on their way to the 2015 Rugby World Cup as the backdrop to launch a campaign that aims to raise awareness of prostate cancer.
The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) and match sponsor Astellas have teamed up with the Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia (PCFA) and the Australian Prostate Cancer Research group to launch #Pass4Prostate.
Kicked off in Sydney today, #Pass4Prostate is a global social media campaign in which participants are encouraged to post a video of themselves “throwing a football pass” on social media using the campaign hash tag to trigger donations from Astellas to prostate cancer foundations around the world.
Managing Director of Astellas in Australia, Takenoya Osamu, said the company was excited to be using their sponsorship to drive the new campaign.
"Astellas is constantly looking for ways to use sponsorships to promote better health around the world. This rugby-oriented social media campaign will hopefully raise awareness of prostate cancer and drive substantial fundraising for the not-for-profit groups that are so important in providing support for men and their families affected by prostate cancer," said Mr Osamu.
Associate Professor Anthony Lowe, CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, said that innovative campaigns like this were needed to continue to challenge Australian men to face up to important health issues.
"We are pleased to be involved in the #Pass4Prostate initiative with Astellas and the Australian Rugby Union. Prostate cancer is a major health issue facing men in Australia and around the world, so if we can encourage more men to talk to their doctor about this disease it will be a great success," said Associate Professor Lowe.
Australian rugby union players took a break from their training today to help promote the campaign. Wallabies Nick Cummins and Nick White also travelled to the USA earlier this month to promote the match and the #Pass4Prostate initiative.
Each year, close to 3,300 Australian men die as a direct result of prostate cancer1.
Show us your #Pass4Prostate
How to get involved:
1. Film a video
Catch any safe, inanimate object passed to you from off screen. Video yourself then passing it off screen.
2. Tell us why
Mention why you're raising awareness of prostate cancer and why it's important not to 'drop the ball.'
3. Share it via social media
Post your video on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
4. Tag your friends to keep the ball rolling
Tag your nominated friends and be sure to include the hashtag #Pass4Prostate to trigger a $5 donation to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia from Astellas.
More information on the campaign and social media initiative can be found at the campaign website www.pass4prostate.org
1 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2013. Prostate cancer in Australia. Cancer series no. 79. Available here: http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=60129545133 Accessed 29 July 2015.
