The ASAP will facilitate the creation of a collaborative network of organisations focussed on improving the lives of men living with prostate cancer, as well as their partners, families and carers. Network participants will develop evidence based practical solutions that can be applied from a local to a national level. Movember has committed $5 million over three years to ASAP, representing its most significant investment in survivorship programs to date.
Movember’s Executive Director of Programs, Paul Villanti, says, “Movember’s strategic goals challenge us to improve the quality of life for men living with prostate cancer from diagnosis onwards. We’re acutely aware that there are many unmet physical and mental health issues that need to be addressed as a priority. We’re extremely proud to have established ASAP and have set ourselves some ambitious goals in achieving results over the coming years.”
Jason Hincks, Movember’s COO comments, “Many of the physical and mental challenges faced by men with prostate cancer are complex and finding new solutions requires fresh models of collaboration, bringing together key capabilities across clinical and care disciplines. As a national initiative, ASAP provides an innovative model of partnering that will build on the strengths that already exist across Australia.”
Over the past 12 months, Movember has worked closely with beyondblue, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, prostate cancer survivors and other leading stakeholders to identify survivorship challenges men face. A key unmet need relates to the anxiety and depression often experienced by those affected by prostate cancer and as a result Movember’s men’s health partner, beyondblue has come on board to support the initiative financially.
beyondblue’s Acting CEO, Clare Shann says, “We are pleased to be working with Movember to improve the lives and wellbeing of men with prostate cancer and their carers. Research suggests that both men with prostate cancer and their partners experience higher rates of depression and anxiety than people in the general community. We believe the $1.25 million dollar investment is a worthwhile contribution to a very important mental health project.”
The CEO of Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, Dr Anthony Lowe, welcomes the establishment of ASAP, “There’s no doubt that the solutions developed by the network will improve outcomes for men living with prostate cancer, their families and carers. We have worked collaboratively with Movember on the initiative since its inception and will be supporting ASAP through involvement in the Steering Committee, consumer engagement and PCFA’s national network of affiliated support groups and network of Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses.”
Any organisation interested in joining the ASAP network can obtain a copy of the Expression of Interest by emailing Shannyn@movember.com. Applications close at 2pm, 4 May 2012 EST.
