29 May 2026

Frankston local Rosco (Ross) Laurenson will be stepping out during Men's Health Week to raise funds and awareness for Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA), after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in June 2025 and completing treatment earlier this year.

Mr Laurenson has joined Walk for Him, PCFA's national walking challenge, which encourages Australians to walk 25km or any distance of their choice from June 15 to June 21 in support of men and their families impacted by prostate cancer.

No stranger to fundraising—he raised $2,400 for PCFA through Dry July in 2025 while navigating his own diagnosis and treatment—Mr Laurenson said this walk is deeply personal and driven by a desire to get more men talking about their health.

"My goal is to tell the world every day what the 25 kilometres I walk means to me and so many others. I plan to annoy as many people as possible. I want them to follow my lead and do something," said Mr Laurenson.

"I had absolutely no idea how many men were also going through this in my own community. So many had suffered in silence, and that was a rather sad realisation, but at the same time understandable. Men have historically been rather quiet and reserved when it comes to matters around health.

"If I can get one gentleman to request a PSA blood test, then my job is done. Men need to understand the importance of regular medical check-ups, regular blood testing, and listening to your body rather than having a 'she'll be right' attitude," he added.

Nearly 29,000 Australian men are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, and nearly 4,000 men will die from the disease.

Locals are encouraged to get behind Ross and join the Walk for Him movement to help save lives.

Participants can walk 25km, or a distance of their choice, during Men’s Health Week in solidarity with men and their families impacted by prostate cancer.

PCFA CEO Anne Savage called on the Melbourne community to get involved.

“Walk for Him is a powerful way for Australians to raise awareness and funds in the fight against prostate cancer,” Ms Savage says.

“This disease takes a significant toll not just on men, but also on their partners, families and communities.

“Every step taken and every dollar raised helps fund life-saving research, specialist nursing, telenursing, counselling and support services for men and their families.

“With prostate cancer remaining Australia’s most commonly diagnosed cancer, local action has never been more important.”

To donate to Mr Laurenson, visit https://www.walkforhim.org.au/fundraisers/roscolaurenson/walk-for-him-2026.

To sign up, visit www.walkforhim.org.au or phone PCFA on 1800 22 00 99 for support.

ENDS

To get in touch or to arrange an interview, please contact:  

Katie Clift: katie@maybe.agency and Josie Tutty: josie@maybe.agency  

Or call the PCFA team on 1800 22 00 99 

About PCFA

PCFA is Australia’s leading community-based organisation for prostate cancer research, awareness, and support. Our goal is zero deaths in our lifetime.

About prostate cancer in Australia

  • Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia.
  • 28,868 Australian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2025.
  • 3,975 Australian men will die from prostate cancer in 2025.
  • Around 79 Australian men are diagnosed each day with prostate cancer, and around 11 Australian men will die each day from the disease.
  • 290,163 Australian men are alive today after a diagnosis of prostate cancer between 1982 and 2021.
  • Men diagnosed with prostate cancer have a 96% chance of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population.
  • Between 1982 and 2021, five-year relative survival for prostate cancer improved from 58% to 96%.
  • Forecasts suggest that by 2035, 34,587 Australian men will be newly diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, accounting for a 20% increase in incidence numbers over the 10 years from 2025 to 2035.