To coincide with Movember, the Rotary Club of Prince George is hosting the Big Blue Ball, a fundraising event for men's health Saturday Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Coast Inn of the North.
Guests will enjoy dinner, dancing and entertainment provided by Kenny Blues Boss Wayne and speaker, Art Hister, Global TV's health analyst.
Because men's health issues are not often up for open discussion, the male population of northern B.C. has greater rates of cancer, suicide, occupational deaths and chronic disease and men have lower access rates to health care. This information has been recognized by the Northern Health Authority that has created the Men's Health Program to do outreach to engage the community, said John Kason, chair of the Rotary's Big Blue Ball.
"The program's community consultation revealed that men overall prefer communication tools that are straight forward, pragmatic and fun - as such, the health authority has adopted this approach, and the Big Blue Ball is following suit," added Kason.
Statistically, one in seven men experience prostate cancer in their lifetimes and it's the second leading cause of cancer-related death among men in Canada.
With early diagnosis, 90 per cent of prostate cancer cases are successfully treated.
Funds raised during the Big Blue Ball will go to free quarterly men's health screening clinics, Northern B.C.'s Ride for Dad, which supports both local education and research for prostate cancer and to local Rotary projects, such as Rotary Hospice House and Rotary soccer fields.
There will be a silent auction during the fundraiser, as well.
This event has dubbed a 'blue jean formal'.
Tickets are $75 each at the Coast Inn of the North, 770 Brunswick Street.
