Check your Balls For Life: Bawbags X Cahonas Charity
•Posted on December 06 2023
We couldn’t be prouder to introduce our new Charity partner: Cahonas!
Like most guys, we like a pun and cheeky joke here at Bawbags. Double entendres and nicknames you wouldn't want your nana to hear the back story to are par for the course. So why is it that we can all have a laugh about things that would make a nun blush, but when it comes to checking our baws, the conversation quickly dries up and the sound of crickets is deafening?
If you have followed Bawbags for a while, you will know that we are on a mission to give everyone with baws the tools they need to catch testicular cancer early. We put our money where our baws are too. Since 2007, we have donated over £95,000 to charities like Everyman, Orchid, Medical Detection Dogs and the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Cahonas is born
Cahonas, founded in 2009, emerged with a vision to challenge the stigma surrounding men's health, specifically focusing on male cancers, especially testicular cancer. Founder, Ritchie Marshall, wanted Scots to regularly check their baws, without any embarrassment so even more people could make it through a diagnosis.
Statistics show that over 2,400 people will be diagnosed with testicular cancer each year in the UK. But when it’s caught early and promptly battered with treatment, it's a cancer with an impressive survival rate (96% in fact).
The early detection part is key. Cahonas set out to create easy-to-use guides on how to give baws a thorough check, and most importantly the reminder to do it regularly.
Raising awareness on testicular Cancer
Cahonas grabs cancer awareness by the baws. The team can be found giving talks to local sports teams, community groups and much more. Their no-nonsense approach to teaching how to check your own baws properly kicks any stigma you may have about fondling yourself right out of the park.
As well as providing posters and self-check guides you can also sign up for monthly self-check reminders via text or email. Sign up for the email version and you will also be kept up to date with the latest ventures and efforts from the Cahonas gang.
Awareness is one thing but Cahonas understand that there are a lot of myths about baw cancer out there too. On their website, you will find a list of the most common myths and how they aren’t true. Examples include that having a vasectomy or being kicked squarely in the family jewels don’t increase your chance of cancer.
You will also find some useful tips on risk factors that make it even more important to keep an eye on things. Having a family history of cancer, for example, can increase your chances of getting it yourself so be sure to; say it with us now; regularly check yer baws!
Supporting you through a diagnosis
Have you heard the phrase hear hoofbeats think horses not zebras? If you do find a lump there's a high chance that it's not cancer. Before you panic about zebras go to the doctor and get it checked out.
Cancer is sneaky. And even with all the awareness in the world, it can still get its crappy little claws into you. If you find yourself hearing the C word from the doctor Cahonas is there for you too.
It might be one of the more curable cancers, but it’s no picnic. Chemotherapy is one of the most common treatments. To make it a little less rubbish, Cahonas has been quietly working with The Beatson to provide chemotherapy care packages to every person diagnosed with testicular cancer in Scotland, and plans are underway to make this nationwide soon.
Included in the care packages is a voucher for one of our very own Bawbags snoods and underwear, a Chillys water bottle, Totes slipper socks, a washbag, MooGoo Moisturiser, Burt's Bees lip balm, UpUp chocolate bar and so much more.
Cahonas collaborations and advocacy
Cahonas aren't shy about putting themselves out and about and have the likes of Sam Heughan and Zander Fagerson behind them when it comes to spreading the word about checking yourself on the regular.
We are just chuffed to bits to be a part of the Cahonas tribe. Launching on December 6th 2023, you will be able to get your very own pair of Cahonas Cool De Sacs Boxers. Get yourself a pair and you’ll have the perfect conversation starter the next time you bump into big Sam or Zander.
Founder of Cahonas Ritchie had this to say about our match made in baw-checking heaven:
“We are so excited to be partnering with Bawbags in our amazing mission to ensure all cases of Testicular Cancer are detected at the earliest stage possible, where treatment is more effective and survival rates are higher. We're so thankful to Bawbags for helping us to educate, encourage and empower their customers and enact real behaviour change that can save lives."
Check yer baws now and next month.
At the end of the day, most of us like to give cancer a big old body swerve, but the quicker we catch it the better.
Take a swatch at Cahonas easy-to-follow information that can make a difference when it comes to early detection. You can also check out their podcast, Check One Two, get up-to-date news on what Cahonas is up to, hear stories from survivors of testicular cancer that will knock your socks off and much more.
And don’t forget to sign up for your monthly reminder to check those baws.
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