Father and Son Day: Inspiring open dialogue in men’s health
2024 marks the 10th anniversary year of ‘Father and Son Day’, a campaign founded by testicular cancer survivors Daniel Marks and Jack Dyson.
Father and Son Day 2024
This year we were delighted to bring Father and Son Day together with our long-standing partner, Ralph Lauren. Ralph Lauren supported the campaign as part of their global Pink Pony initiative, with 2024 marking Father and Son Day's 10th anniversary.
With support from Ralph Lauren and Selfridges, the 2024 campaign aimed to raise funds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and encourage conversations around male cancer.
Funds raised contributed to two important areas of work at The Royal Marsden - supporting vital research to help more cancers be diagnosed at an earlier, more treatable stage, and funding psychological support services for Royal Marsden patients and their families.
How to get involved
From 6-20 June 2024, Ralph Lauren donated 25% of the net purchase price of a range of products online and in store, as well as offering customers the opportunity to donate.
We were pleased to have further support this year from Selfridges, who also had this Ralph Lauren product range available in store in Selfridges and online.
The Charity has been part of Ralph Lauren’s Pink Pony initiative since 2013. This global philanthropic programme is dedicated to cancer care and prevention, supporting programmes for research, screening, early diagnosis, treatment, education and patient navigation.
The 10th anniversary of Father and Son Day
Father and Son Day was set up in 2014 by Daniel Marks and Jack Dyson, both survivors of testicular cancer. Their goal is to inspire men to get talking to each other and raise awareness around male cancer, whilst raising money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
"This is about improving the lives and outcomes of people with cancer and making a difference at the frontline of care" says Jack. "I’m proud of what Father and Son Day represents, and the fact that this is our tenth year together is just brilliant. It’s a campaign that resonates at so many levels.”
“This campaign is inspired by very personal experience" says Daniel. "Over the last decade we have had such fantastic support from friends and partners. We’re thrilled to raise funds for such a worthy cause and are excited for the future.”
'It is about giving back to an organisation that saved my life, and saves thousands more around the world every day'
Daniel Marks, Father and Son Day co-founder
Funding essential mental health support
Psychological support services at The Royal Marsden provide support to patients and families throughout their treatment journey at the hospital. This service is essential to ensuring that the mental health of patients, as well as their families, is treated alongside their physical conditions.
Funds raised through the campaign will go towards supporting the breadth of psychological support services at The Royal Marsden delivered by Clinical Psychologists, Nurse Counsellors, Oncology Psychotherapists and Family Specialists.
Dr Justin Grayer, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead for the Adult Psychological Support Service at The Royal Marsden said: “Looking after the mental health of our patients alongside their physical health as they go through cancer treatment is vitally important. Our team offers one-to-one support to patients, as well as accommodating sessions for patients’ families. Charity funding helps to make this service available for our patients, so we are hugely grateful to Father and Son Day, Ralph Lauren and Selfridges for their support this year."
"I’d like to help anyone else who might be suffering in silence"
Father of two, Sam, is passionate about the importance of talking openly about mental health during cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Sam was just 34 when he was diagnosed with an inoperable diffuse brain tumour. He was referred to The Royal Marsden in 2023 and underwent 30 sessions of external beam radiotherapy on a machine called the linear accelerator (LINAC), which is supported by funding from The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. For this radiotherapy, Sam had to wear a mask that was specially made to fit his face.
“Someone called Brooke fit my mask for me, and she walked me through the whole process in such a gentle and calm way. Then she made it more like a spa treatment, just talking me through it all and helping my anxiety. It was a very anxious moment for me, but we were laughing and having a lot of fun.”
“I wear my heart on my sleeve and I’m a very open person. I’d like to help anyone else who might be suffering in silence, so am very happy to share my experience.”
'Mental health is one of the most important parts of the cancer journey. The additional support from teams like psychological support is so vital.'
57 year old Jon has been treated at The Royal Marsden following a diagnosis in 2022 of stage 3 laryngeal cancer (a type of throat cancer) and cancer of the vocal chords. After a total laryngectomy surgery, he has had to learn how to talk and eat again and has hugely benefitted from the psychological support team at The Royal Marsden, as part of his post-surgery rehab.
Funding early diagnosis research
When a patient’s cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, there is a much greater chance of being able to treat the disease successfully. At The Royal Marsden we are continually working to improve early diagnosis for patients.
The funds raised for early diagnosis research through the campaign will contribute to a range of roles working across this area of research at The Royal Marsden.
One of these roles focuses on supporting the PROFILE study. Led by The Royal Marsden and The Institute of Cancer Research, London (ICR), the aim of this study is to understand why some individuals, including those of Black African and Black-Caribbean ancestry, are at greater risk of prostate cancer. Understanding the genetics that influence prostate cancer risk could improve the way we screen for the disease in the future, helping more people get diagnosed and treated early.
'I cannot explain how important an early diagnosis is!'
64-year-old Richard from Mitcham was diagnosed with prostate cancer through the PROFILE research study. Thanks to an early diagnosis and successful surgery, Richard is now doing well and is keen to raise awareness of his story, particularly with men in the Black community. Three of his friends have now joined the PROFILE study as a result of his experiences, highlighting the importance of conversation around male cancers which is a key aim of the Father and Son Day campaign.
“When I first got my diagnosis, I wondered if I would survive to see another year" says Richard. "I had thoughts that perhaps I might not have long left. But now, I’m on top of the world and nothing can stop me! The PROFILE study is yielding such positive results; I would never have known about my diagnosis if it hadn’t been for the trial."
"I cannot explain how important an early diagnosis is, I don’t know where I’d be now without this. I’m passionate about spreading the word amongst my friends and family – if more people are aware of their risk then they can seek support sooner. Conversations like these can save lives."
