Former England rugby international Victor Ubogu is set to play a key role in tackling testicular cancer after becoming an ambassador for the awareness campaign #Nutnominate.
Ubogu, who won 24 caps for England, is fully behind the campaign aimed at ensuring men take action if they discover they have funny shaped balls!
#Nutnominate was launched in September by Julian Webb, a proactive member of Lichfield Round Table, after he had been given the all clear having being diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2011.
Testicular cancer mainly effects men aged 18-45, the same age demographic for members of Round Table, but survival rates are at 98 per cent if the illness is caught early enough.
Ubogu, who now runs VU Ltd, a successful sports hospitality and corporate events company in Bath, said: “As someone who made a career out of handling odd shaped balls, I’m delighted to support #Nutnominate.
“In the dressing room at Twickenham, men’s health and testicular cancer wasn’t something you discussed with your team-mates.
“In my playing days, I think most men did keep concerns to themselves. However, as you reach a ripened age, I’ve sadly seen cases where early recognition could have prevented a premature loss of some great men, so I’m pleased that the campaign is pushing men to grow some balls and talk about it!!
“Now I’m watching my young son grow up, I’m so pleased to see he’s not shy to ask questions and will encourage him to stay open about anything he’s worried about – it’s a huge generational shift.”
Webb, who has seen the online awareness campaign grow since its launch three months ago, said: “I am really pleased Victor Ubogu has agreed to join us as the face of #Nutnominate.
“As an ex-England rugby player, his reputation and status in the sporting arena will enable us to reach out and educate more young men to be aware and check themselves regularly for testicular cancer. It’s all about catching it early.
“To help us raise awareness we’re asking guys who have checked themselves to post a selfie of themselves online doing the ‘OK’ sign and then tagging five male friends to do the same with #Nutnominate.”
The campaign is across a number of social media channels. For more information log on to www.nutnominate.com
