- Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has partnered with Balls to Cancer charity
- Campaign launched to mark Male Health Awareness month in November
- Mobile check-up clinic in Volkswagen Crafter will tour country to spread awareness
- Around 2,500 cases of testicular cancer are recorded in the UK every year
To mark Male Health Awareness month, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has launched a campaign to tackle testicular cancer, which is growing, with diagnoses doubling over the last 30 years. The brand has partnered with the Balls to Cancer charity to urge drivers to check themselves regularly – just like they would with a van service.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has created a TV advert with London-based production company Outside, directed by Jim Gilchrist, that uses its Working With You promise to remind men of the importance of getting themselves checked regularly. To view the video please visit https://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/balls-to-cancer.
To make this promise real, the manufacturer has also kitted out a Crafter as a mobile clinic to tour Van Centres; information will be available on site, and a Balls to Cancer representative and healthcare practitioner will offer advice on self-examination – or answer any other awkward questions on the subject.
The UK records around 2,500 cases of testicular cancer every year* – equivalent to more than six a day – yet 98 per cent of cases can be cured if caught early enough. Despite this, research shows men have their hair cut more often than they check their balls.
Sarah Cox, Head of Marketing at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “Our customers’ vans are critical to their livelihoods, both professionally and personally. If there was something wrong with their van it could result in loss of work. It’s no wonder then that our customers are quick to get their van checked even at the smallest sign of an issue.
“But they don’t always apply that same urgency if they find a lump on their testicles. By partnering with Balls to Cancer we’d like men everywhere to take their own health as seriously as they take their vans. A problem with your van could result in the loss of work; testicular cancer could result in the loss of life. You get your van checked, so why not yourself?”
Mark Bates, Balls To Cancer co-founder, said: “We’re delighted to receive the support of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles during Male Health Awareness month. Traditionally men find it hard to talk about things like this but we’re proud to speak out and spread this life-saving message.”
The tour began at Volkswagen Group UK’s Head Office, Milton Keynes on 1 November, and is set to visit a number of Van Centres across England throughout Male Health Awareness Month. Locations include Birmingham Volkswagen Van Centre(5 November), Vindis Van Centre, Northampton (12 November), Cordwallis Van Service Centre, Heathrow (19 November) and Volkswagen Van Centre, Manchester (26 November). Members of the public can visit any participating Van Centre on the specified date**. To find out more keep an eye on www.facebook.com/VolkswagenCommercialVehiclesUK/ or visit https://ballstocancer.co.uk.
For more details on Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ award-winning range of products and services, or to find your nearest Van Centre, please visit www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk.
*Figures from Balls to Cancer
** Healthcare practitioner available 3pm – 6pm – subject to change.