PRESS RELEASE Stronger together! Walk the Walk and American charity, the Male Breast Cancer Coalition

Walk the Walk Chief Executive Nina Barough launch the charity’s poster campaign. Also pictured (l-r) are Richard Galloway, Giles Cooper, Glenn Cooper, Dave Talbot, Mike Greenhalgh and David Aggett

Ahead of World Cancer Day on Tuesday 4^th February, breast cancer charity Walk the Walk is delighted to announce a partnership with the Male Breast Cancer Coalition in the United States. The two charities are uniting in their mission to raise awareness that Men Get Breast Cancer Too.

Every year, 370* men are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK and 81* men die of the disease. In the United States, 2,620** men are diagnosed annually, and 520** will die. Men face a higher mortality rate from breast cancer than women, due to a lack of awareness. 

Walk the Walk has been working with a group of men for more than two years, highlighting that while the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer is much higher, it is a disease which can affect men as well. 

The UK charity recently launched a downloadable awareness poster, encouraging men to “Check your Chest”, to spot the signs of breast cancer. Men taking part in Walk the Walk’s fundraising challenges wear a special pink t-shirt with a blue bra printed on it. 

The Male Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) is based in the United States and shares the stories of men from all over the world, who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. The aim of the MBCC is to provide resources for men and their families, navigating their way through what is usually a women’s only club. The charity visits high schools and colleges across the United States spreading the word and educating audiences.

Uniting together, Walk the Walk and the MBCC hope to reach millions more people across the globe with their awareness message.

Roy Collins was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 and has been working with Walk the Walk to raise awareness for the last couple of years. He said: “I was really pleased to hear that Walk the Walk, who I have worked with for a few years helping to raise awareness of breast cancer in men, are going into partnership with the Male Breast Cancer Coalition. Anything that can help men feel less alone by sharing their stories and experiences is a great move forward in the fight against breast cancer. I hope this new partnership also encourages more men to check themselves for symptoms”.

Cheri Ambrose, Founder of the Male Breast Cancer Coalition said: “We are honoured to be joining forces with Walk the Walk to help promote awareness of breast cancer in men.  It is through education that we will be able to break the gender stigma that breast cancer holds and give men a fighting chance against the disease”. 

If you’re a man who has had breast cancer, Walk the Walk and the MBCC would love to hear from you. Please email [email protected]

FREE TO USE IMAGES, INCLUDING WALK THE WALK’S DOWNLOADABLE POSTER ARE AVAILABLE HERE

*Breast Cancer Now Nov 2019

**The American Cancer Society, Jan 2020

For more information, contact:

• Linda Reeves at Walk the Walk 01483 741430 [email protected]
• Jennifer Broh at Walk the Walk: 01483 741430 [email protected]

Notes to Editors:

Walk the Walk

• Walk the Walk specialises in fitness and Power Walking challenges, including the iconic MoonWalks in London, Edinburgh and Iceland.
• HRH The Prince of Wales is the official Patron of Walk the Walk.
• Walk the Walk has so far raised more than £133 million.
• As a grant-making charity, all funds are raised for Walk the Walk and then granted to where the charity feels they will do the most good.
• Walk the Walk funds are granted to projects that not only support research, important to all our future health, but also support a variety of projects that are supporting cancer patients now throughout the UK.
• To date grants have been made to charities and organisations throughout the UK including Breast Cancer Now, Breast Cancer Haven, Penny Brohn UK and hundreds of NHS Hospitals and Trusts for which we supply Scalp Cooling Systems. These are wonderful machines, which help many people undergoing chemotherapy to avoid losing their hair.
• A grant from Walk the Walk helped fund Breast Cancer Now’s Male Breast Cancer Study, which has the largest collection of DNA and tumour samples from men with breast cancer in the world. Scientists are looking into both the genetic causes and treatments for male breast cancer.
• The charity also has a community grant fund which each year grants to smaller organisations. Helen Rollason Cancer Charity, Tenovus Cancer Care, The Christie, Cancer Kin, FACT and others, all receive funds which enable them to continue their work.