“To have lived in Fiji not too far from each other, to have joined the Navy within months of each other, and now to have ended up in a prostate cancer fitness class in a remote corner of NZ half a century later just blows my mind,” said Burrows.
PCFNZ is sponsored by proceeds from Dry July NZ, a program that challenges people to go alcohol-free to raise money for people affected by cancer. Since 2012, 61,000 Kiwis have participated in Dry July and raised over $9 million for groups and charities for people with cancer.
PCFNZ says funds from Dry July will be used to form more Prost-FIT locations across New Zealand, as well as fund a toll-free information service, free counselling and nationwide support groups.
“Dry July is a fantastic campaign that utilises a unique way to engage the public and bring hope to those diagnosed with prostate cancer all across Aotearoa New Zealand,” PCFNZ chief officer Peter Dickens said.
There are 19 Prost-FIT locations across New Zealand, of which Hastings’ 20-strong class is the most popular. Five more locations are currently planned. Participants receive 40 free Prost-FIT classes a year.
The hour-long Prost-FIT sessions offer a space for men of all ages with prostate cancer to exercise and afterward chat about their shared experiences.
The Hastings class involves 15 minutes of warm-up, 30 minutes of more intense circuit stations, and 15 minutes of “wind down” pelvic floor exercise and tai chi, before most attendees share coffee and discuss their problems and treatments.
“It’s become a very social outing which everyone looks forward to every week,” Fraser said.
“We have the camaraderie and we have the social side and we have dinners and stuff. It’s a good whole.”
Burrows said there was definitely a feeling of camaraderie and friendship.
“In a way, Prost-FIT has become a substitute for a support group,” he said.
After being diagnosed, Burrows sold his house, travelled around Southeast Asia and bought a house in Hastings.
Fraser, a Hastings native, spent 27 years in the Navy before working at computer company gen-i for 13 years, returning to Hastings after 40 years in Auckland. He’s been married for 58 years and has two sons, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He was also diagnosed with esophageal cancer, which he says has since subsided, and has found a good friend group since joining Prost-FIT 15 months ago.
“We’re all happy chappies. I think we all sort of look out for each other. We can only applaud the Prostate Foundation and Dry July for that initiative and sponsoring it.”
The Dry July NZ Trust was formed in 2012 and aims to “challenge participants but also address the soaring demand for crucial cancer support services across the nation.”
DRY JULY
- Dry July is a fundraising campaign where people give up alcohol for July to raise money for charity services.
- Since launching in NZ in 2012, Dry July has had over 61,000 participants and raised over $9 million for people with cancer.
- Dry July is sponsoring three charities this year: Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand, PINC&STEEL Cancer Rehab Foundation of NZ, and Look Good Feel Better.
- Dry July started in Australia in 2008 by three friends who tried to give up alcohol for a month to raise $3000 for a TV in their local hospital’s waiting room. They raised $250,000.
For more information about the Prostate Cancer Support Services or how to attend Prost-FIT classes please visit www.prostate.org.nz or call the Information Service on 0800 66 0800.
