Waterford’s Solas Cancer Support Centre has recorded an increase in male engagement with its services as a result of this year’s Run and Walk for Life.
Last weekend’s event, which was held in both Waterford City and Dungarvan, attracted a record of nearly 4,000 participants.
Encouraging male engagement with the centre’s services was a key aim, with 27 per cent of the event’s t-shirts being blue this year in an attempt to spark conversations on the issue.
This initiative has proved hugely successful, according to Solas Centre Board of Trustees Chairperson Barry Monaghan.
“In the last two weeks, fifty per cent of people who came in to avail of our services for the first time were men,” he explained.
He expressed hope to see this increase so that “people aren’t afraid to reach out”.
“The message very clearly is ‘don’t say there are other people who are more in need of this service than me’. We are here for you – male or female – that’s the key message.”
He described having 27 per cent of t-shirts in blue as a “great way to move discussions into people’s homes”.
“Men have a belief they don’t need to reach out, but they are as likely to be affected by cancer as women. There are so many services available for both men and women at the Solas Cancer Support Centre.”
Hear a special feature on male engagement with the Solas Centre here
For more information on services, visit www.solascentre.ie
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