Kim Calvert

Community

Thank you for giving a crap

With more than 10,000 YouTube hits on our ‘I Give a Crap’ video, several well-known Kiwis supporting the cause and widespread coverage of the campaign including TV1’s Seven Sharp and the New Zealand Herald, I believe that ‘I Give a Crap’ has been a resounding success.

In partnership with Beat Bowel Cancer Aotearoa (BBCA), our aim was to raise awareness about bowel cancer by encouraging Kiwis to have an open conversation with their loved ones about the warning signs in the hope of reducing the shocking statistics surrounding this disease.

Bowel cancer is the most common cancer affecting both men and women in New Zealand with more than 3,000 cases diagnosed each year. It’s unbelievable to think that 75% of cases are curable if caught early, but unfortunately too many Kiwis are still dying because they are not willing to discuss their symptoms.

Through ‘I Give a Crap’ we hope we have broken down the awkward barrier many of us face when having to talk about our bowels. Having that conversation could save your life or the life of someone you love.

For the whole team at Cottonsoft, it has been a pleasure to work with BBCA on a great campaign that I believe has made a real difference. Thank you for allowing us to be involved.

Thank you to all who have showed their support by giving a crap, namely Nigel Latta who has been a champion of the campaign from the very beginning.

Thank you to all the other well-known Kiwis who took the time to show their support by featuring in our videos here and here, and spreading the ‘I Give a Crap’ message.

But ‘I Give a Crap’ doesn’t stop here. I encourage all Kiwis to continue the conversation. It is important that we all know what the symptoms are as bowel cancer is a highly curable disease, if caught early.

Wishing you all a happy new year and all the best for 2014.