Who we are
Our History
The Prostate Cancer Charity was founded in 1996 by Professor Jonathan Waxman to address the 'Outrageous and arbitrary surgical treatment of men'.
We were the first national organisation for prostate cancer in the UK. Our aim was to improve the care and welfare of those affected by prostate cancer, increase investment in research, and raise public and political awareness of a long-neglected disease.
We started small: five members of staff and with our helpline housed in a small room in Hammersmith hospital. It ran one day a week.
We merged with Prostate Action in 2012 and completely rebranded to form Prostate Cancer UK. In the last 20 years, we’ve invested over £37 million into ground breaking research, and continue to provide award-winning support for men.
We have grown in size, strength and influence but our ambition is the same: to put men at the heart of everything we do.
Our Campaigns
Jeff Stelling and the Soccer Saturday panel discuss 'who's the man?'
Jeff Stelling and the Soccer Saturday panel are renowned for wearing the Prostate Cancer UK badge every week on their show. But why do they wear it? what does it stand for? And what do they want to achieve? On Boxing Day 2017 and early 2018 this TV ad was shown to demonstrate how they’re doing their bit to stop prostate cancer being a killer and how you could stand alongside them and join our team.
Father and son
We know ignoring prostate cancer won't beat it, and our 2016 campaign showed a humorous role reversal of the son explaining to the dad the dangers of prostate cancer and how he needs to confront the disease.
Men United
In early 2014 Bill Bailey asked you to join Men United - the team inspired by the breast cancer movement to take on prostate cancer. Millions of people saw the TV ad starring Bill and decided to join our movement for men and do their bit to stop prostate cancer.
Father's Day
Nobody messes with Ray Winstone, but in our award-winning Father’s Day film, he shows that even the hardest of men can be knocked down by prostate cancer. The film aired on ITV4 on Father’s Day 2013, the culmination of a week-long partnership between Prostate Cancer UK and ITV: Stand By Your Man.
Joe wants out but the Don won't take no for an answer. Carl lays a plan to use Alison as the bait. Will it work, or will Joe walk away?
Father's Day is a dark mini-drama with a twist. It's the brainchild of actor Neil Stuke, and also stars Ray Winstone, Charles Dance, John Simm, Tamzin Outhwaite, Cyril Nri and Stuart Laing.
Sledgehammer
Bill Bailey fronted our first TV campaign as Prostate Cancer UK in 2013, highlighting what prostate cancer is and the issue thousands of men and families face across the UK. While the prostate might be the size of a walnut, it's an issue which needed something bigger to battle it - a sledgehammer. Bill launched the Sledgehammer fund to raise money to help us fund research and services, and raise awareness of the issue.
Nutcracker
As part of the Sledgehammer Fund, we also launched the Nutcracker Suite; an innovative digital fundraiser that aimed to crack 10,000 walnuts over a two week period – one for every £5 donation to the Sledgehammer Fund received by text or online in January 2013.
The Nutcracker suite was based in a shop front in central London. At the anvil, sledgehammer in hand, were hundreds of our supporters, from celebrities to corporate partners, staff and volunteers. We’re afraid to say that many walnuts were smashed in the making of this film.
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