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Unichem Manly staff are putting their muscles to work this month to raise awareness of prostate cancer and men’s health.
Pharmacists Tania Adams and Thilina Ekanayake, along with intern pharmacist Ethan Palermo, are taking part in the Blue September Push-Up Challenge, aiming to complete 739 push-ups during September.
The number represents the 739 New Zealand men who die from prostate cancer each year.
They are sharing their progress through the pharmacy’s Facebook page as part of its support for the Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ.
The pharmacy is also selling $5 blue ribbons, with money raised going to the foundation. Each ribbon is added to a display wall and gives the buyer an entry into a draw for prizes donated by local businesses.
Alongside the fundraising, Unichem Manly is offering free appointments through its recently established Blokes Clinic during Blue September.
The clinic grew from a shared interest among staff in improving awareness of men’s bladder health and incontinence.
Palermo first identified a need for a place where men could feel comfortable talking about bladder health concerns.
Further development followed after members of the pharmacy team attended the Australasian Pharmacy Professional Conference and Trade Exhibition on the Gold Coast, where they learned more about men’s bladder health and incontinence.Palermo and Adams then developed the clinic, which is led by Palermo.
It offers men a private setting to discuss concerns about bladder health, receive guidance and identify possible next steps.
The pharmacy team says their Blue September activities are intended to encourage more conversations about men’s health while raising money for prostate cancer support and awareness.
