Toyo Tires has thrown its weight behind the Blue September charity for the third year in a row, kicking off the years bluest month at the Toyo’s Australian head office and manufacturing facility in Minto on Wednesday.
Surely one of the most difficult challenges in the world; making men less stubborn, has been wholeheartedly taken on by Blue September and Toyo Tires.
Blue September is a charity dedicated to raising funds for cancer research and targeting men of all ages with the message that a pro-active approach to health could very well save your life.
Toyo supports Blue September through the sale of wristbands throughout the month of September at participating Toyo resellers. The wristbands feature a section where the wearer can write the name of a person in their lives who has battled with or lost their life to cancer, or inspired them to raise cancer awareness among men.
The tyre trade is a male dominated industry. There is a proliferation of Old-school guys, guys who are reluctant to discuss their health, or worse, ignore changes in their bodies that could be the early warning signs of something more sinister.
A natural fit, Toyo started their 2014 Blue September campaign on home turf, surrounded by the charity’s target market.
In a carnival atmosphere with blue skies above, employees at Toyo’s Minto factory were invited to make a small donation, paint their faces and blue, grab a feed courtesy of the Peppercorn Food Company and strap in to the passenger seat of a Team Isuzu D-MAX.
The celebrated precision driving team treated their passengers to non-stop two wheeling manoeuvres, with stunt pioneer Dave Shannon covering more miles on two wheels than four. Michael Long was behind the wheel of a new Isuzu MU-X, taking full car loads of punters to the top of the perilous Iron Summit and back down the other side.
Amidst the fun, Blue September ambassador, entertainer and reluctant ‘Touchdown!’ catchphrase owner Mark Holden took the group of workers aside for a personal and frank discussion, about why avoiding a health check or even the dreaded digital examination, just isn’t worth losing your life over.
Australia has the highest rate of prostate cancer in the developed world, and one in two Australian men will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85. The most common cancers causing death in men are lung, prostate, bowel, melanoma and testicular cancer.
Mark implored the Toyo team that these deaths can and should be prevented.
The former reality television star and pop singer encouraged workers to make September the month that they get themselves checked out. Take the initiative to make healthier lifestyle decisions, pay more attention to their bodies and seek early medical advice.
As a cancer survivor with a long and serious family history, Mark’s honest words resonated with the assembled workers, and created a forum where Toyo employees were able to have an open conversation and break down barriers about discussing health issues.
Blue September director Mike Chapman thanked Toyo for its ongoing commitment to the cause.
"Toyo has provided us with a fantastic opportunity to reach right into the heart of our target market - men," said Mr Chapman.
"Working with Toyo's partners - Tyrepower, Tyreright and affiliated independents - we are able to not only raise money by selling wrist bands but also get the key message out there: that the early diagnosis of cancer saves lives."
Toyo Tires managing director Michael Rudd (who joined Mark Holden and Mike Chapman in donning a painted blue moustache in the spirit of the day) is passionate about raising cancer awareness among his colleagues.
"Cancer does not discriminate, and is by its nature extremely unpredictable," he said.
"Right now, the two best ways to combat cancer are early detection and diagnosis, and ongoing research. The attitude Aussie men often have towards their own health is 'she'll be right', and when it comes to preventing cancer that just isn't good enough.”
“On behalf of the company I would like to thank everyone who donated their time to join and support Toyo Tires on site. In particular Team Isuzu D-MAX, with their driver Dave doing approximately 100 trips on 2 wheels, and then having to drive straight to Adelaide overnight, and to Wayne Boatwright and his team for their professionalism in getting through as many people as they could on the Iron Summit and 2 wheels.
“Our thanks also to Dean from Peppercorn Food Company for supplying and cooking our sausage sizzle all day. Not to forget Blue September ambassador and celebrity Mark Holden for his informative Health talk, along with Mike Chapman from Blue September. In our Toyo Tyre trailer for the day was Luke from Mind Jam. And thanks also to our photographer Bob, and Nick, from The Project Group.”
Blue September www.blueseptember.org.au
Peppercorn Food Company www.peppercornfoodcompany.com.au
Team Isuzu D-Max www.teamdmax.com.au
The Project Group www.theprojectgroup.com.au
