M&S has partnered with Bowel Cancer UK to drive a new awareness campaign, aimed at acquainting the public with the disease’s main symptoms.
As part of the partnership, bowel cancer symptoms will be placed on the retailer’s toilet roll packaging and on signage in its stores and support centres, QR codes redirecting customers straight to the charity’s website will also be prominently displayed. In a further illustration of its commitment, M&S has donated £50,000 to the charity.
The idea for the collaboration originated with an M&S staff member who had personal experience with the disease. Cara Hoofe submitted the idea to new CEO Stuart Machin via a suggestion scheme, initiated by Machin himself as a way to better connect with his colleagues.
M&S and Bowel Cancer UK have also issued a joint call to the retailer’s competitors, encouraging them to mirror M&S in placing bowel cancer symptoms and advice on their toilet roll packaging.
Getting an early diagnosis is key in stopping the disease, which affects 43,000 people in the UK each year.
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”It’s hugely rewarding to be able to put such a fantastic suggestion into action in my first week in the job,” Machin said.
“Most importantly, this is a real opportunity to raise awareness across the UK and make a difference. I’m asking all retailers to join us – the more people we reach, the more lives we can potentially help save.“
Bowel Cancer UK CEO, Genevieve Edwards added: “We are delighted to partner with M&S to raise vital awareness of bowel cancer symptoms with people all over the country. It’s the UK’s fourth most common cancer, with someone diagnosed with the disease every 15 minutes in the UK.
This brilliant initiative will help millions of people across the UK know what to look out for and will undoubtedly save lives. We’re incredibly grateful to Cara and the team for their commitment to making this happen.”
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