Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and ask someone for help if you need it.

Because that is where the journey that can make a real difference begins.

All spoke of their own personal challenges and how they have made positive steps to overcoming them.

Their stories of what happened to them and how they got help motivated almost 200 men and women present in the Grand Ballroom a the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach,

And in the process raised funds for beyondblue, the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and health initiatives for men’s health issues in the Illawarra.

Mr Hahn spoke of his battle with prostate cancer and then depression two years later when he was told there was more cancer in his body. “It took several months before I got my act together again”.  

But in 2018 when his cancer began to stabilise and he was better managing his depression he decided he could use his experience to help others.

He became involved in campaigns to raise awareness. And is now planning to launch a Prostate Cancer Support Group for survivors and their partners in 2019.

“A big thing that helped me get through was the network of people that I had around me giving emotional support,” he said.

“But many people don’t have a network where they can go and talk to someone. So my plan for next year is to launch a support group open for men and women who are affected by prostate cancer and are looking for someone to talk to for a little bit of information.”

Mr Hahn said it was important because 19,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year and 3000 men die from it.

And recent research found men who have prostate cancer are 70 per cent more likely to die of suicide.

“The reason I am doing this support group is no-one, absolutely no one, deserves to face cancer alone,” he said.

Read more:

Men's health and the importance of exercise was on the menu at the first It's A Blokes Lunch on Friday