About Rotary Red Socks

About Red Socks

How did Project Red Socks Start?

The project commenced in 2014 as the result of the death of Dennis Denmead PHF who was a long- time member of the Rotary Club of Townsville Sunrise.

Dennis, who was aged 69, passed away from an aggressive prostate cancer illness. As a result a survey of the 80 male members of this club took part in a survey which showed only 40% had been tested or consulted with their doctor about prostate cancer.

A request for all members to obtain PSA tests, etc then revealed 14 positive indications of prostate cancer being present in these members. The majority were over 50 years of age. This saved the life of one member, the others are receiving various treatments and expect a normal lifespan.

These stats are the norm in Australia and many other countries from any similar age group of men.

1 in 5 males in Australia will be diagnosed with prostate Cancer by the age of 85
Prostate Cancer caused the death of 3,507 men in Australia in 2022
Higher death rate than Breast Cancer in women
21% increase in the death rate in rural Australians
The risk rate can increase in middle age
Family history of the disease is relevant
Prostate Cancer in young males is more aggressive
24,000 male Rotarians in Australia – 4800 will be affected by the age of 85
Early detection is essential for survival rates

Why the Red Socks?

Dennis was born in England and was an Arsenal Football supporter. He only ever wore red socks. A pair of red socks were initially given to each
member of the Townsville Sunrise club as a reward for participating in the survey. The red socks are meant to act as a trigger to remind men to regularly consult with their medical practitioner about prostate cancer. As a result the project Red Socks initiative was born.

What is the goal of Project Red Socks?

Our goal is to have a pair of red socks in the wardrobe of every male 50 years to remind them to consult with their doctor about prostate cancer. It is important to know your family history, as male siblings of prostate cancer sufferers are at increased risk and are also encouraged to KNOW YOUR SCORE by the way of a PSA test at an early age. This SCORE is then available as a benchmark for comparison when further testing reviews occur.

What is the involvement of Rotary with this project?

It is simply an awareness project by delivering basic information and a pair of socks. We do not go into treatments, etc, as individual circumstances vary. We do recommend seeking advice from qualified medical practitioners i.e. Urologists etc as guest speakers and reference to the Prostate Cancer
Foundation of Australia or any similar overseas research web site on preventative measures and latest research trends.

Is it a fund raising project?

It can be depending on how individual clubs or organisations who wish to use the Project. It is also an ideal corporate WPH&S tool with HR benefits. The Rotary Club of Townsville Sunrise is the distributor of kits and socks and cost are kept at a minimum to enable ongoing marketing to clubs and groups so they can on-sell and make profits as they see fit. All profits made by Townsville Sunrise Rotary are redirected for marketing purposes. This
club supports the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and local prostate groups through in house club donations.

We also provide ongoing inhouse funding to market the project. (The prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia was created by the Rotary Club of Lane Cove in Sydney in 1997).

What products are available?

We offer a pair of quality embroidered Rotary Red Socks at reasonable prices. These are packaged and labelled with a blue information sticker. Depending on the nature of the project, i.e. individual, whole of community or corporate we can provide personalised printing on information brochures, together with survey forms, etc. A YouTube presentation is also available for promotional use.

What does Red Socks require from other Rotary Clubs?

Nothing apart from the purchase of kits and socks. This enables control of the project goals and material by Rotary and the Sunrise club. Feedback on achievements is welcome and is used to measure outcomes and also shared with others seeking to take on a project.

Who can get involved?

All Rotary Clubs and other Groups are encouraged to act as their own Red Socks Ambassadors to further promote prostate cancer awareness as a
Rotary initiative worldwide. All are free to fund raise using the socks and make donations as they see fit.

What can the socks be used for?

Apart from individual projects, they make ideal gifts with a health message for male persons. They can be used for prostate awareness events, fundraising and corporate workplaces to address long term HR issues amongst aging males. Trials have been conducted targeting a whole of community approach such as rural towns, suburbs. Models have been developed and are available for use.

There is no limit on how the project can be applied. It is a win/win project with significant results at low costs.

So there are Cancer and Prostate Cancer organisations in Australia and overseas, why is Rotary involved?

This project is different in that it ‘sells’ a trigger, i.e., the red socks remind people to be aware of the illness and early detection, as early detection
will save a life. It can also be used as an HR tool to ensure increased belonging and productivity to an organisation and relieve personal and family
trauma by early detection.

The wearing of the red socks can have a snow balling effect within the community and this together with the rotary logo promotes the organisation and Rotary’s worldwide commitment to improved health in the community.

What ongoing support is available on the project?

We are only a phone call or email away and are willing to provide any advice or assistance with the purchase of stock. Email for supplies with delivery
instructions and we will invoice you direct for any supplies provided.

How is the project going, where is it heading?

At this time we have distributed about 10,000 pairs of socks and kits throughout Australia and some overseas. We have been published in RDU and the Germany/Austria Magazine. Recently members of Queensland Parliament wore our red socks at a parliamentary session.

Various clubs and districts around Australia, including the Rotary Nomads have taken on the project. Kits have been distributed throughout whole communities. It is a proven win/win whole of community project. Ask us how it can be done.

Need more information or supplies?

Brian Richardson | 0429 144 921 | brian@rotaryredsocks.com

Peter Heuke | 0412 181 437 | info@rotartyredsocks.com

Discover why we need to take the battle to men's prostate cancer.

1 in 9 males in Australia will get prostate cancer, find out why we’re working hard for early detection of prostate cancer throughout the community.

Prostate Cancer Facts & Figures

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia.
24,217 Australian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022. (that’s 1 every 17 minutes!)
3,507 Australian men will die from prostate cancer in 2022.
66 Australian men are diagnosed each day with prostate cancer.
10 Australian men will die each day from the disease.
240,245 Australian men are alive today after a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Men diagnosed with prostate cancer have a 95% chance of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population.
Between 1987–1991 and 2012–2016, five-year relative survival for prostate cancer improved from 60% to 95%.

Detailed data:

Prostate cancer is the 2nd most common cause of cancer-related death among men.
Prostate cancer will cause an estimated 12% of all male deaths from cancer in 2020.
The estimated risk of a man being diagnosed with prostate cancer by age 85 is 1 in 5.
The estimated risk of a man dying from prostate cancer by his 85th birthday is 1 in 23.
The rate of men dying from prostate cancer has been gradually falling over the past 20 years.
Men living in regional or rural areas have a 24% higher rate of dying than those in cities.
Indigenous men with prostate cancer have an estimated 86% chance of survival by 5 years after diagnosis, which is lower than the national average.
By 2040 it is estimated that 372,000 Australian men – or 2.4% of the projected male population – will be living with prostate cancer.

Figures on low awareness in Australia:

75% of Australians don’t understand the PSA Test Guidelines.
70% of men and women don’t know the symptoms of prostate cancer.
87% of Australians don’t understand prostate cancer stages at diagnosis.

Mental health impacts of disease:

1 in 5 men with prostate cancer will develop anxiety and depression.
72% of men with prostate cancer will not seek help for distress.
67% of men with prostate cancer have unmet information needs.
Men with prostate cancer face a 70% increased risk of suicide.

A 10-year study of Australian men affected by prostate cancer has found significant numbers of men have lower life satisfaction and experience long-term impairments to quality of life, whereby 35 to 40% of men experience poorer physical and mental quality of life outcomes and life satisfaction 10 years after the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer

Red Socks in the Community