To mark Male Health Awareness month, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in the UK has launched a campaign to tackle testicular cancer, which is growing, with diagnoses doubling over the last 30 years. The brand has partnered with the Balls to Cancer charity to urge drivers to check themselves regularly – just like they would with a van service.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has created a TV advert with London-based production company Outside, directed by Jim Gilchrist, that uses its Working With You promise to remind men of the importance of getting themselves checked regularly.
To make this promise real, the manufacturer has also kitted out a Crafter as a mobile clinic to tour Van Centers; information will be available on site, and a Balls to Cancer representative and healthcare practitioner will offer advice on self-examination – or answer any other awkward questions on the subject.
The UK records around 2,500 cases of testicular cancer every year* – equivalent to more than six a day – yet 98% of cases can be cured if caught early enough. Despite this, research shows men have their hair cut more often than they check their balls.
Sarah Cox, Head of Marketing at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, says, “Our customers’ vans are critical to their livelihoods, both professionally and personally. If there was something wrong with their van it could result in loss of work. It’s no wonder then that our customers are quick to get their van checked even at the smallest sign of an issue.
“But they don’t always apply that same urgency if they find a lump on their testicles. By partnering with Balls to Cancer we’d like men everywhere to take their own health as seriously as they take their vans. A problem with your van could result in the loss of work; testicular cancer could result in the loss of life. You get your van checked, so why not yourself?”
The tour began at Volkswagen Group UK’s Head Office, Milton Keynes on 1 November, and is set to visit several Van Centers across England throughout Male Health Awareness Month. Locations include Birmingham Volkswagen Van Centre (5 November), Vindis Van Centre, Northampton (12 November), Cordwallis Van Service Centre, Maidenhead (19 November) and Volkswagen Van Centre, Manchester (26 November). Members of the public can visit any participating Van Centre on the specified date**. To find out more keep an eye on www.facebook.com/VolkswagenCommercialVehiclesUK/ or visit https://ballstocancer.co.uk.
- *Figures from Balls to Cancer
- ** Healthcare practitioner available 3pm – 6pm – subject to change.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
VW Commercial Vehicles Urges Drivers to Check Their Balls
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has created a TV advert with London-based production company Outside, directed by Jim Gilchrist, that uses its Working With You promise to remind men of the importance of getting themselves checked regularly.
To make this promise real, the manufacturer has also kitted out a Crafter as a mobile clinic to tour Van Centers; information will be available on site, and a Balls to Cancer representative and healthcare practitioner will offer advice on self-examination – or answer any other awkward questions on the subject.
The UK records around 2,500 cases of testicular cancer every year* – equivalent to more than six a day – yet 98% of cases can be cured if caught early enough. Despite this, research shows men have their hair cut more often than they check their balls.
Sarah Cox, Head of Marketing at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, says, “Our customers’ vans are critical to their livelihoods, both professionally and personally. If there was something wrong with their van it could result in loss of work. It’s no wonder then that our customers are quick to get their van checked even at the smallest sign of an issue.
“But they don’t always apply that same urgency if they find a lump on their testicles. By partnering with Balls to Cancer we’d like men everywhere to take their own health as seriously as they take their vans. A problem with your van could result in the loss of work; testicular cancer could result in the loss of life. You get your van checked, so why not yourself?”
The tour began at Volkswagen Group UK’s Head Office, Milton Keynes on 1 November, and is set to visit several Van Centers across England throughout Male Health Awareness Month. Locations include Birmingham Volkswagen Van Centre (5 November), Vindis Van Centre, Northampton (12 November), Cordwallis Van Service Centre, Maidenhead (19 November) and Volkswagen Van Centre, Manchester (26 November). Members of the public can visit any participating Van Centre on the specified date**. To find out more keep an eye on www.facebook.com/VolkswagenCommercialVehiclesUK/ or visit https://ballstocancer.co.uk.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.