Everyman - Funding research to cross out male cancer

Everyman is the UK's leading male cancer campaign

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Jumping for Joy - Why 35 men are freezing their balls off at 12,000ft!

On Saturday 11th June 35 men will be taking a leap of faith skydiving for the Everyman Male Cancer Campaign from 12,000 feet in only their pants!

The 35 skydivers have committed to the jump to help support Everyman Male Cancer Awareness Month in June. Through raising a smile on ladies' faces by performing a skydive semi-naked, they hope to raise awareness of and vital funds for research into testicular and prostate cancer. The group have currently raised almost £2,000 for the Everyman Campaign and hope to raise more than double this amount.

The idea came to organiser Nigel Holland after reading about the Everyman Campaign online. Two of the group, Ben Wood and Chris Bryant, are friends and regular skydivers who have both suffered from testicular cancer, which made Everyman an obvious campaign to support. Female friends of the skydivers performed a similar jump two years ago, in aid of breast cancer research, wearing only their bikinis. Not to be outdone by the ladies the group decided that anything the girls could do for a good cause they could do too!

Male cancer is an increasing problem in the UK with numbers of both prostate and testicular cancer cases on the rise. Incidence of testicular cancer has risen dramatically over the past twenty years. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men, yet if caught early enough it has a 99% recovery rate. Prostate cancer has overtaken lung cancer as the most common cancer amongst men in the UK. It affects 30,000 men per year and with one man per hour dying from this disease in the UK, it is a very serious issue.

Nigel Holland, the organiser of the skydive, said: 'Skydiving in your boxer shorts may seem a bit unusual but it has been a great way to help raise awareness of male cancer and funds for Everyman's research. It has been really rewarding helping to raise money for a campaign as important as Everyman, through doing such a fun event.'

Philip Black from Everyman said: ' Prostate and testicular cancer is a really serious issue in the UK with one man an hour dying as a result of male cancer. It is fantastic supporters like Nigel and his friends that enable Everyman to fund its world class research into this serious disease.'

The skydivers will be sporting underwear from a range designed exclusively for Topman and Everyman wristbands, both created by the designer Martin Andersson. Everyman wristbands are available at Topman stores and online at www.topman.co.uk from 25th May for a suggested donation of £1. The full £1 will go to Everyman. They come in four different colours, each with a different word printed on them - Think, Act, Feel, Smile. Topman have kindly donated to Everyman 10% of sales from any item purchased on 24th May 2005, from the 16 Topman branches stocking the underwear range.

To find out more about Everyman and ways in which you can help raise funds for male cancer research or for further information on this disease please contact Everyman on 0800 7319468 or logon at www.icr.ac.uk/everyman

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For further information or to arrange interviews please contact:

Charlotte Muskett

The Everyman Campaign

Tel: 0207 153 5312

Email:

Notes to editors:

Attention Picture Editors and Film Crews - Photo/Filming Opportunity:

The jump is taking place on Saturday 11th June at the Royal Air Force Sports Parachute Association (RAFSPA) , Weston-on-the-Green, near Bicester, Oxfordshire. To arrange filming or photography (or to get a photograph after the event) please contact Charlotte Muskett on 020 7153 5312 or

June 2005 is the 8th annual Everyman Male Cancer Awareness Month. The Everyman Campaign was established in 1997 by The Institute of Cancer Research in order to increase both awareness of and funding for research into male cancers.
The Everyman Centre, at The Institute of Cancer Research, is Europe's first and only dedicated male cancer research centre. Everyman must raise £1.5 million each year to support the vital research into male cancer conducted at the centre.
The Everyman wristbands are available in Topman stores and online at www.topman.co.uk They come in four different colours, each with a different word printed on them - Think, Act, Feel, Smile. They will be sold at till points for a suggested donation of £1. The full £1 will go to Everyman and the bands will be on sale from end of May 2005.
The skydive group have set up their own fundraising website to make a donation to the group's jump please logon to: www.boxershortskydive.com
Most of the group are qualified skydivers but some of the group will be jumping for the first time and will be tandem skydiving. The Tandem skydives are being organised by RAFSPA - Skydive Weston www.rafspa.com 01869 343343.

Please note:

Unfortunately the press office are unable to answer queries from the general public. For general cancer information please refer to The Institute's cancer information page.

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Everyman: Funding research to cross out male cancer

Everyman is a campaign run by The Institute of Cancer Research. A charity, Not for Profit. Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England No. 534147.