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Aussie Men Man-Euver for Man Month

Col and his friend Frik before he shaved his pink dreadlocks to raise awareness of breast cancer
Col and his friend Frik before he shaved his pink dreadlocks to raise awareness of breast cancer

The McGrath Foundation has declared the month of April, MAN MONTH, and is encouraging men to do their bit to raise awareness of breast cancer.

Even though breast cancer is an issue that largely affects women, men are affected too. With over 15,000 people estimated to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, around 100 of those are likely to be men. Men can also play a huge role in helping to spread the breast awareness message, making sure the women in their lives are breast aware.

The McGrath Foundation is calling on all men, from tradies to business execs, to stand up with a splash of pink and show their support.

Mackay bricklayer Col Sommerfeld has been announced as the Foundation’s first Man Month Ambassador. Col recently helped to raise over $24,000 for the McGrath Foundation when he pledged to dye his impressive dreadlocks pink and shave them off in the name of breast cancer. Since getting on board with the campaign, Col has spoken of his hopes that men across Australia will stand up with the Foundation this April.

“As men we have to realise we can play a huge role in helping the women we love be breast aware and know the signs. Whether it’s your mother, daughter, sister, wife, girlfriend, auntie, or just a friend, we need to show our support and play an active role against breast cancer,” said Col.

Col was recently interviewed by WIN Television Mackay about his involvement in the campaign. “The McGrath Foundation’s Man Month campaign is a great way to get the fella’s on board with an issue that often men don’t like to talk about. It’s important to get the message out there, whether you cut your dreads off like me or simply sign up to the campaign, that the women in your lives need to be breast aware,” said Col.

During his fundraising efforts Col met two Queensland based McGrath Breast Care Nurses, Lynda Campbell and Margaret Stapleton who provide vital care and support for families experiencing breast cancer.

Breast Care Nurses, Lynda Campbell and Margaret Stapleton with McGrath Man Month Ambassador Col Sommerfeld
Breast Care Nurses, Lynda Campbell and Margaret Stapleton with McGrath Man Month Ambassador Col Sommerfeld

“Meeting those two women had a really profound effect on me. They were like people’s aunties, and I just have so much respect for not only those two caring ladies, but all McGrath Breast Care Nurses. They absolutely deserve recognition for the amazing work they do in communities all around Australia,” Col said.

Men can help support MAN MONTH in a number of ways this April …

1. 100,000 MEN ON FACEBOOK: The McGrath Foundation is hoping to recruit the troops and get to 100,000 male Facebook fans so we can really start making some noise! Make sure you like their page and  invite your mates.

2. DARE TO WEAR PINK GEAR: They also want to see photos of you going pink to support the McGrath Foundation, simply post your photo and then #Pinknominate three of your mates to see if they can do any better! Use the hashtag #Pinknominate on twitter or instagram and we’ll feature our favourites. You could also post a photo of you and your sporting team, wearing pink or even you and your colleagues then the more the merrier! Together we’ll call out your biggest rivals to see if they’re up to the challenge….(no makeup required for this one)

3. SIGN THE MANIFESTO Look out for the MANifesto. They’ll be sharing our 10 manly tips every man should live by and asking you to sign up, share with your friends and commit to making sure that the women in your lives are being breast aware. (Don’t worry though, there’s an app for that!)

 

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Alana Lowes

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