AICR launched direct mail cancer test campaign

The Association for International Cancer Research is launching a DM campaign to encourage donors to pressurise government to change NHS policy on prostate cancer testing.

The 'More Tests, Better Survival' mailing will go to over 26,000 current donors from 30 April, handled by fundraising experts and direct marketing agency DMS.

DMS will mail a bespoke pack to the base of donors who support the Spotlight Appeal for prostate cancer research.

The mailing will include five campaigning postcards asking donors to pass the remaining slips to friends and family or make them available to others by displaying them in their work place/social club.

Alternatively, donors can respond to sign up to an e-petition and make an online donation though an AICR dedicated webpage.

The petition focuses on getting the PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test available on demand to all men over 50 on the NHS.

AICR's objective is to get 10,000 signatures in recognition of the 10,000 UK men who die each year from prostate cancer.

Norman Barrett, Chief Executive at AICR, stated: "The PSA test is a simple blood test that can detect prostate cancer at a very early stage when it can be more effectively treated.

"In America, there is routine access to the PSA test and the five-year survival rate of prostate cancer is 98.5 per cent.

"In the UK - where it is not routinely available - the survival rate is 70 per cent".

AICR has launched an official government e-petition at the Prime Minister's Number 10 Website, encouraging additional supporters to sign the e-petition, and then pass the campaign onto friends and family to do the same.

Jane Moore, Account Director at DMS, said: "The main push of the pack is to acquire signatures for the PSA campaign, however this is also an appeal to fund more vital prostate cancer research".

The Spotlight Appeal has successfully generated over GBP6m through direct mailings since its launch in 1998.

Since then DMS has created a database of over 26,000 active donors who are dedicated to help AICR in the fight against prostate cancer.

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