HISTORY OF THE EVENT

The Prostate Cancer Luncheon Event was born over a glass of wine with friends and a serious discussion about that unspoken ‘thing’ two mates found they had in common. The group started talking about the unfortunate coincidence that each of them had been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 2010. What they found perplexing was that no one had ever wanted to talk about ‘it’ before they became diagnosed. Why hadn’t men’s health been a topic of conversation among these friends previously? After all, without health and well-being, how could life be fulfilling personally or professionally?

These blokes vowed to help make this topic easier for others to talk about. The idea of raising funds through a social event where the issue was brought out into the open was born.

The inaugural It’s a Bloke Thing Prostate Cancer Luncheon was held in Toowoomba in 2011 and has since become an significant fundraising event benefiting various men’s health and research programs, including the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and Toowoomba Base Hospital Foundation.

In 2019, the community contributed more than $2.04 million to the It’s a Bloke Thing Foundation making this event one of the largest daytime fundraising initiative in Australia.

The Committee’s goal is to break down the walls and get men talking about their health with their partners, families and friends. This is so important in the quest to create prostate awareness and save more lives.