The Robin Cancer Trust, in partnership with Nice Work, is calling on people across the UK to take part in its Virtual Big Ballsy Challenge throughout November, raising awareness of testicular and germ cell cancers during Men’s Health Awareness Month.
The virtual Big Ballsy Challenge is open to everyone (of all ages and abilities) and participants can pledge to run or walk 10k, 50k, or 100k throughout November. Participants can do the challenge anywhere, anytime, whether on a treadmill, at the gym, or around the local park. The chosen distance can be completed in one go or over multiple sessions throughout November. Entry costs £22, and every participant will receive a bespoke medal on completion from The Robin Cancer Trust.
The virtual November challenge comes as CEO Toby Freeman takes on his own extraordinary challenge, running 500km across the UK dressed as a giant testicle over the course of a year, to spark life-saving conversations around testicular and germ cell cancer and to tackle the stigma still surrounding men’s health.
Toby has already completed the Bristol and London Marathons, run the length of Hadrian’s Wall, and logged hundreds of kilometres on many more runs, all to stop people from having to go through what his family did when they lost his brother to germ cell cancer.
Germ cell tumours develop from the body’s reproductive cells, those that form eggs in females and sperm in males. They usually occur in the testicles or ovaries but can sometimes appear elsewhere in the body, such as the chest, brain or abdomen, which is rare.
Toby Freeman, CEO and Founder of The Robin Cancer Trust, said: “We lost my brother Robin to germ cell cancer when he was just 24. No family should have to go through what we did. Every person who joins the Virtual Big Ballsy Challenge is helping us to spread the word, break down stigma, and ultimately save lives. Whether you take it on solo, get the family involved, or rally your workmates, every step really does count.”
Each year, around 2,400 men in the UK are diagnosed with testicular cancer, yet survival rates are as high as 95% when caught early. To reflect this, the charity has set a fundraising target of £240,000, which equates to £100 for every man diagnosed annually.
To join the Virtual Big Ballsy Challenge, please visit Nice Work here: https://www.nice-work.org.uk/e/the-big-ballsy-run-10298. Use the code BBC2025 at sign-up for 10% off your entry fee.
More information on The Robin Cancer Trust and the Big Ballsy Challenge can be found here: https://www.therobincancertrust.org/bigballsychallenge
