Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is an annual initiative of Bowel Cancer New Zealand running throughout the month of June (1-30 June), to raise public awareness of a disease that claims the lives of 23 New Zealanders every week.

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month has a positive message – saving lives through early detection – as bowel cancer is one of the most treatable types of cancer if found early.

They are a very small team fighting a big nationwide cancer problem, so the more people getting behind Bowel Cancer Awareness Month with us the better!

At CottonSofts we have been the major sponsor of BCNZ for 5 years now and are proud to be continuing this partnership.

You can raise money for Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in many different ways. Host a shared breakfast/lunch, or morning/afternoon tea at your workplace, coffee group, or local cafe and decorate in purple and green. Have a gold coin donation for casual or dress up in purple and green at your workplace for Friday casual, or even hold a competition among colleagues to raise funds via a fitness activity.

Or simply donate to Bowel Cancer Awareness Month here or directly to our bank account, Bowel Cancer New Zealand Incorporated 38 9010 0509792 00

In May 2013, Cottonsoft became a proud sponsor and supporter of Bowel Cancer New Zealand (BCNZ). The charity, founded in 2010 by a group of people affected by bowel cancer, with the support of clinicians, is committed to improving bowel cancer awareness among the general public and health professionals.

The charity aims to provide clear, up-to-date information about the disease, symptoms, what to do if diagnosed and treatments.

The long term partnership with BCNZ will see a collaborative approach to projects, including spreading the awareness message during the charity’s 2013 Bowel Cancer Awareness Week (3-9 June 2013) and future events. Cottonsoft shares BCNZ’s aim to raise awareness of the disease with frank discussion, education and drive to improve the screening process across the country.

The statistics on bowel cancer in New Zealand alone are startling:

• Each year, more than 1,200 New Zealand lives are lost to bowel cancer and almost 3,000 New Zealanders are newly diagnosed - making it our most common cancer affecting both men and women.
• Bowel cancer is also New Zealand’s second most deadly cancer. Currently, New Zealanders diagnosed with bowel cancer have only a 55% chance of surviving more than five years. BCNZ believes that this could increase, conservatively, to a 75% chance with improved screening and treatment, as well as heightened public awareness of symptoms and the importance of early diagnosis. If there are delays in diagnosis or treatment, the cancer can spread and chances of survival are reduced.

Watch this space for further information about Cottonsoft’s partnership with BCNZ and how we are getting behind the cause.

For more information on BCNZ and how you can donate to the cause, please visit www.beatbowelcancer.org.nz.