British glamour model Rhian Sugden arrived in Cape Town yesterday as part of an adventure awareness challenge for the web-based charity, Male Cancer Awareness Campaign. She will be accompanied by the larger than life charity mascot, Mr Testicles!
Before South Africa's men's health month in June, this timed to raise the profile of male cancers - prostate, bowel and testicular. And Cape Town, the adventure tourism epicentre of South Africa, is the chosen destination in which Mr Testicles and Rhian will be filming their forthcoming awareness campaign.
Also in June, Male Cancer Awareness Campaign (MCAC) is launching its new testicular cancer website - and has committed to a series of 12 monthly challenges - to drive men and their partners to the educational website.
The charity's CEO and founder, Patrick Cox, will also be in Cape Town to share the message that testicular cancer is one of the most curable cancers in the world, and that early detection is key.
With a tongue-in-cheek tagline of "I'm up to the challenge, are you?", Sugden will show that she has the balls to undertake a variety of extreme adventure challenges, each of which will be filmed and edited into catchy video clips to grab men's attention and challenge them to check themselves for testicular cancer.
Ignorance is made worse by the prevailing "culture of embarrassment" that discourages men from discussing and resolving problems related to intimate parts of their body. This campaign aims to challenge that.
Sugden said: "I got involved with the charity because I know a few people that have suffered from male cancers in the past and if I can help in anyway to raise awareness so that men can detect early signs, then I am prepared to do anything I can to make a difference!"
So why South Africa? "Simple," said Cox, "we were offered huge support from extreme outdoor activity companies and the offers were too good to say no. Big thanks to Para Taxi, Shark Diving Unlimited, Ceres Adventures and Grand Daddy Hotel!"
"I have to admit I am nervous for a few of the challenges! I will be putting myself in some strange positions to help raise awareness for testicular cancer. I am also looking forward to meeting everyone who has helped make this happen, and hope that the good people of Cape Town will get behind me," Sugden added.
Mr Testicles and Rhian, the MCAC blonde ambassador, are in and around Cape Town now:
Thursday, 5 May: Tandem paragliding with Para Taxi www.para-taxi.com
Friday, 6 May: Shark diving with Shark Diving Unlimited www.sharkdivingunlimited.com
Saturday, 7 May: Parachuting (to be confirmed)
Sunday, 8 May: Ziplining with Ceres Zip Slide Tour www.ceresadventures.co.za
Monday, 9 May: Power boating (to be confirmed)
Tuesday, 10 May: winelands tour (to be confirmed)
You can also follow Rhian and Mr Testicles on Twitter - @rhianmarie @mrtesticles
If anyone would like to sponsor any of the above activities contact Sue Northam on +27 (0)72 118 6649 or moc.liamg@mahtroneus
