Jamie Keeble, the owner of Heck sausages, has teamed up with a Scottish charity to launch a testicular cancer campaign following his own scare nine years ago. Keeble was diagnosed with the disease in 2015 after discovering a lump in his testicles. Prompted by his experience, he took immediate action by seeing his GP and undergoing treatment. Since then, he has successfully recovered and recently welcomed his first child.
In support of Men’s Health Month, Keeble will be temporarily renaming his Yorkshire sausage and burger brand from HECK! to CHECK! on its chicken sausage packaging throughout November. This initiative, in collaboration with Scottish charity Cahonas, aims to raise awareness about testicular cancer, especially considering that a survey revealed nearly a quarter of men in the UK seldom or never conduct self-examinations due to a lack of knowledge on how to properly check themselves.
Testicular cancer affects around 2,300 individuals annually in the UK and is the most common cancer among males aged 15 to 34. Keeble emphasised the importance of early detection and raised awareness, stating that detecting a lump, seeking medical help promptly, and being proactive are crucial steps in improving survival rates. He highlighted the significance of open discussions and reducing stigmas surrounding the disease to encourage more men to actively monitor their health.
Special edition CHECK! packs will feature QR codes directing consumers to the Cahonas website for essential self-examination information, with a percentage of sales proceeds being donated to the charity. Ritchie Marshall, the Founder and CEO of Cahonas, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership and underscored the campaign’s potential to spark crucial conversations on men’s health across supermarkets nationwide.
Additionally, HECK! has established a dedicated webpage linking to Cahonas for further resources and information. By engaging in this joint effort, Keeble and Cahonas aspire to empower men to take charge of their health, promote early detection, and ultimately contribute to saving lives through increased awareness and education.