Become a hairy hero: Grow a beard this December and help stop people dying of bowel cancer

Bowel Cancer UK is calling on men from all over England to become hairy heroes by growing a beard for charity this December.

Taking part in Decembeard is really simple. All you need to do is shave on 30 November and get sponsored to let your facial fuzz grow throughout the following month. Already the proud owner of a beard? No problem. Dye, ditch or decorate your beard and get fundraising. 

More than 23,000 men are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK each year, making it the third most common cancer in men. It’s also the nation’s second biggest cancer killer but it shouldn’t be as it’s treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early.

All money raised will help save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer. 

Vicky Martin, Community Fundraising Manager at Bowel Cancer UK, says: “Gather your fathers, sons, grandads and uncles and do something amazing this festive season and become a hairy hero. The money you raise will help fund vital services and lifesaving research.
 

“It’s been a difficult year for us and for people with bowel cancer, who are among the many affected by cancelled or delayed surgery or treatment due to the coronavirus pandemic. We’re determined to be here for everyone with bowel cancer, and your sponsored beards will help ensure that we can continue to support those with the disease and their loved ones, today and in the future. 

“Taking part in Decembeard couldn’t be easier. Ditch the razor, let your beard grow and raise money to help stop people dying of bowel cancer.” 

Become a hairy hero today and sign up to Decembeard: bowelcanceruk.org.uk/decembeard

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About Bowel Cancer UK 

Bowel Cancer UK is the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity. We’re determined to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer. We support and fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care. bowelcanceruk.org.uk

About bowel cancer

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and the second biggest cancer killer, affecting both men and women. Every 15 minutes in the UK someone is diagnosed with bowel cancer. That’s over 42,000 people every year. 

Bowel cancer is treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early. Nearly everyone survives bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage. However this drops significantly as the disease develops. Early diagnosis really does save lives.

The symptoms of bowel cancer can include: 

• Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo

• A persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit 

• Unexplained weight loss

• Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason 

• A pain or lump in your tummy

Most people with these symptoms don’t have bowel cancer. Other health problems can cause similar symptoms. If you have one or more of these, or if things just don’t feel right, see your GP.