The Breast Friends have made a donation of $10,000 to The Health Foundation to assist the purchase of additional ultrasound equipment for the regional hospital in Yorkton. Ross Fisher, Executive Director of The Health Foundation, accepted the cheque.

“The proceeds of our latest book will support the fight against prostate cancer,” said Jeannie Johnson, the Breast Friend who presented the cheque. “These funds are being given to help The Health Foundation buy an ultrasound machine with the necessary attachments to assist the diagnosis of prostate cancer.”

“Our previous books have supported creating awareness and enhanced detection regarding Breast Cancer in women. In addition we have supported many cancer prevention and treatment initiatives generally across the country,” continued Mrs. Johnson.

“This is the first time we are specifically targeting prostate cancer, which affects only men. We want to help raise awareness regarding prostate cancer, we want to make it ok to talk about prostate cancer and about the need to be tested, just as it is common for men and women to talk about breast cancer,” she continued.

Facts about Prostate Cancer:

• 1 in 7 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer - the most common cancer among Canadian men

• 26,500 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012

• On average, 73 Canadian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every day.

• On average, 11 Canadian men die from the disease every day.

• Often without symptoms in its earliest, most curable stage – making annual testing ever more important

It is important to have the tools like good high end diagnostic ultrasound machines to assist in the diagnosis of prostate and other cancers; but it is also important for there to be awareness about prostate cancer.

“Far too many men do not go to their doctor and get checked annually. Men seem to be uncomfortable talking about prostate cancer and about having the test done. That has to change. We have lost far too many men to this disease; we cannot allow our men to continue to shy away from discussing it and avoid being checked for this disease when they go to the doctor,” continued Mrs. Johnson.

“We are just grateful to the Breast Friends for the wonderful work they do raising funds and awareness for breast cancer. I hope they are as successful doing the same for prostate cancer”, said Ross Fisher.

“This $10,000 is a significant donation, and it will greatly help us move our fundraising for the additional ultrasound equipment forward,” continued Mr. Fisher.