JAC backs cancer campaign

JAC New Zealand is giving away a ute to support a charity campaign to make men more aware of how to spot testicular cancer.

Andrew Craw, general manager, says backing the Testicular Cancer NZ lottery that has a JAC T9 ute as its top prize was an easy decision.

“Let’s be honest, as blokes, we aren’t always the best at putting ourselves under the hood for a health check,” he adds. 

“We’ll spend all weekend tinkering with our tools but ignore a literal warning light on our own body’s dashboard. 

“If we can get more men checking themselves because they might win a JAC ute, that’s a win-win for all of us.”

The “Lump Lottery” is being run by Testicular Cancer NZ and encourages men to check for lumps on their testicles and then enter the prize-giving draw online. It is open now and throughout April, which is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month.

Testicular Cancer NZ says the condition is the number one cancer affecting Kiwi men under 40, with about 180 diagnosed annually. On average, eight New Zealanders die from testicular cancer each year but it is 96 per cent curable when caught early. 

The lottery has been created as a humorous, yet straight-talking initiative designed to get men to self-check. 

Sir Buck Shelford, campaign ambassador and a rugby legend, says: “When you think about it, women have normalised breast checks over generations. Men, on the other hand, are useless and still tend to ignore the basics when it comes to checking their own bodies. 

“So, we’re giving them a JAC ute in the hope they’ll take action that might just save them.”

Dr Jim Duthie, the organisation’s medical adviser, says 62 per cent of Kiwi men don’t know how to check, “so we’re here to change that”.

He adds late detection of testicular cancer can have lasting impacts, particularly on fertility.

Peter Dickens, Testicular Cancer NZ chief executive, notes the lottery campaign aims to grab the attention of those at risk from the condition. 

“With JAC and our other campaign partners, we’re confident that this year we’ve found a unique formula that will make a truly positive impact on this most diagnosed cancer in young men in Aotearoa,” he says.

For more details about the campaign, visit https://www.lumplottery.co.nz. The winner will be announced on May 4.