The names of 500 men who lost their lives to prostate cancer take pride of place on a moving memorial unveiled in Newcastle today.
Men's health charity Prostate Cancer UK unveiled its remembrance structure, 'The Prostate Cancer Memorial', in its new home at Eldon Square. The 10ft structure is currently touring the UK and will remain in Newcastle until September.
It's a particularly poignant home for the memorial, having been inspired by a local love story which was cut short by prostate cancer. Michelle and Doug Blythe, who grew up in Jarrow and South Shields respectively, were married for 42 years before avid Newcastle FC supporter Doug passed away in 2017.
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Today Michelle, who now lives in London, travelled back to Newcastle to see the mirrored structure unveiled in its new home.
Michelle said: "My husband was a Geordie... I'm delighted that [the memorial] is here on his home ground here in Newcastle upon Tyne. I've travelled here to see it and also so his relatives and friends can see it too."
Doug's family have honoured his memory in many ways since his passing. His daughter Gemma completed Prostate Cancer UK's March for Men, and son Bill set up a fundraising page which raised over £3,000.
However, in the search for a more permanent tribute to husband, father and grandfather Doug, and one that would help directly support and fund lifesaving research, the Prostate Cancer Memorial was born.
Michelle said: "I miss Doug terribly but I'm so lucky to have my family supporting me. I'll always keep his memory alive, and having his name engraved on the memorial feels like such a special way to do that."
She added: "It has been very emotional watching the Memorial travel around the UK, and seeing on social media families traveling to London, Nottingham and Birmingham to welcome it and see their loved one's names remembered. My family and I are delighted to see it come to Newcastle and receive a warm Geordie welcome from the community."
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. According to data from the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service (NCARS), in Tyne and Wear alone over 5,000 men are living with the disease, over 824 men are diagnosed and over 225 men die from the disease a year.
For the whole of the UK that figure rises to over 11,500 men dying from prostate cancer each year, nearly a quarter (22%) of the capacity of St James' Park.
One part of the Tyneside community Doug's family is particularly delighted to see supporting the move are ex-players from his beloved Magpies. Former Newcastle and England striker and current QPR Director of Football Les Ferdinand has an affinity with the Blythe family, after he lost his grandfather to the disease and several other family members have since been affected.
Discussing the hereditary dangers he now faces, Ferdinand said: "I'll admit prostate cancer wasn't on my radar a decade ago; I knew nothing about it at all. But now I do as it has struck my family. I've been in a privileged position as a footballer, coach and now director of football, but I'm also a son and a father and want to be a role model outside the beautiful game.
"If men want to be macho, they shouldn't walk away from a problem; they should face it head on. It's also important to remember and celebrate those men lost to his disease. And this Memorial is the perfect way to do that while raising awareness of Prostate Cancer UK’s long term ambition to stop this disease in its tracks."
Ferdinand’s former Magpies teammate and England midfielder Rob Lee has also seen his dad affected by the disease. He said: "One in eight men will be affected and if, like me, you have a family link then your risk is even higher. That's why I've long supported the work of Prostate Cancer UK and it's so important that we continue to raise awareness across the UK – and funds to help beat this disease.
"I had so many happy times in the North East and still have so many mates in the area. Hearing that my former teammate Les has also been affected brings home the prevalence of the disease, so I’m delighted to join him in supporting Prostate Cancer UK as the Prostate Cancer Memorial arrives in Newcastle. It’s a fantastic structure and pays a fitting tribute to those lost to the disease."
Moving from Birmingham to Newcastle as part of a UK tour, the eye-catching installation will be in Newcastle until September 14, dedicated to all those who have passed away from prostate cancer. The memorial is located in Eldon Square shopping centre on St Andrew's Way, near New Look.
By touring the memorial across the UK, Prostate Cancer UK aim to raise much-needed awareness about prostate cancer, whilst providing an opportunity for people to see their loved one’s name engraved on the memorial.
The 10ft tall, mirrored steel pyramid is a dazzling display of all the husbands, dads, uncles and grandads lost all to the disease, featuring around 500 names engraved on its sides. This number will increase as the memorial tours the UK and more people purchase a name engraving to celebrate a life lost to prostate cancer.
Nicola Tallett, Director of Fundraising and Supporter Engagement said: "The Prostate Cancer Memorial stands as a symbol of remembrance, dedicated to all the men we’ve lost to prostate cancer. The memorial has been welcomed in London, Nottingham and Birmingham, and we are delighted to now bring it to Newcastle.
"Through the memorial's tour across the country, Prostate Cancer UK are raising awareness of the most common cancer in men, whilst providing a space for family and friends to see their loved one's name engraved and remember those now departed. We want to see a future where men's lives are not limited by prostate cancer, and we know men and their loved ones feel the same. Together we can stop men dying, by funding lifesaving research to support our sons, husbands, dads, uncles, and grandads. Men, we are with you."
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