'For Blokes Sake' is a Not For Profit Organisation created to provide Men with a relaxed, friendly and mutually supportive forum in which to share their stories and experiences of life with Cancer. The forum, whether in the 'Stories' pages of this Web Site or the many individual groups we hope will set up across the country, has as its main aim; the sharing of experiences.
'For Blokes Sake' is not an advisory body, nor does it promote cures, concoctions, medications or the promise of results from following any particular path.
In sharing your experiences, we ask that you please respect this charter and that at all times you work wherever possible to promote personal choice.
Below you will find an explanation of the 'For Blokes Sake' Logo, but first, a few words from the founding member of
'For Blokes Sake', Fred Staton:
As we know, Cancer touches many Men's lives and at 64 years of age, mine was to be no exception. In June 2004 I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. Looking back now at 68 years of age, I frequently think about all those things that helped and continue to help me get through the difficult times.
I will be sharing those experiences with you and many others on the stories page, linked above. In sharing our experiences, I hope we can draw strength from each other. For me personally, I found my fighting spirit, when combined with my prescribed medication, Strength Training and Tai Chi, to be invaluable. After feeling so well I thought :"Why not form a group for guys to help themselves and each other".
After meeting Andrew Stretton, Ron Reed and Gerald Hart, who unfortunately is no longer with us, we formed the group 'For Blokes Sake' along with a number of new members in December, 2007.
My hopes and dreams for the group are that men become more comfortable with their cancer and are able to be positive with their journey and truly have a better quality of life.
We hope you will join your journey with ours.
Fred Staton - April 2008
'For Blokes Sake' - Logo Explanation
Inclusiveness
The three symbols in the logo, Male, Female and the Sun (representing the Environment) come together to make up our Society or Community. One cannot live without the others and the whole cannot live without the one. It ensures that whatever is good for ‘Blokes’ must also be good for ‘Gal’s’, the ‘Environment’ and ‘Society’.
Recognition of Individual Gender and of Gender Balance
The logo recognises that important differences exist between genders, especially in the delivery of Healthcare. Importantly, in moving away from the past, the logo signify’s that Healthcare provision needs to be balanced between Genders, that one Gender should not receive care at the expense or neglect of the other.
Reproducibility
The logo could be used in a ‘For Gal’s Sake’ group, keeping the same inclusiveness concepts. It is envisaged that the Female symbol would be highlighted in Purple, and the Males, grey, to signify the difference, and that the text would obviously state ‘For Gal’s Sake’. (See Logo Below).
Recognition of Carers
The Male and Female symbols recognise the vital role that carers play, be they partners or healthcare professionals, in the lives of those afflicted with Cancer. The shadowing behind each Gender symbol also recognises both Gay and Lesbian relationships and Carer Roles.
Expansion
The logo is not limited to use in Healthcare or any other area of life. The concepts outlined here, those of Inclusiveness, Balance, Respect and Care, can easily be expanded to other Life concepts. For example; “Men Living & Achieving”, with Disability, Depression, Love, Integrity, Peace, etc, etc
