Sport
One in Four Men Stay Silent About Their Health - Chris Hoy Calls For Change With The BIGGER 180
Sir Chris Hoy , Britain's most decorated Olympian and one of the greatest athletes of all time, has joined forces with Paddy Power and Prostate Cancer UK to launch , turning every throw at the into a life-saving moment.
Diagnosed with stage-four prostate cancer, Hoy is stepping into the spotlight to inspire men to take control of their health before it's too late.
"This isn't about medals or records," says Hoy. "It's about saving lives. If sharing my story gets just one man to check his risk, it's all been worth it."
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK, but silence is the deadliest symptom:
"Men are great at cheering for their team, fixing the shed, or helping their mates move house – but when it comes to their health, they go quiet," says Hoy. "That has to change. Checking your risk takes just 30 seconds, and it could save your life."
This year, every 180 scored at Ally Pally is more than just a crowd-pleaser – it's a step towards saving lives:
Hoy's journey with prostate cancer began in silence, like so many others.
"I didn't have any symptoms until it was too late," Hoy explains. "By the time I felt pain, it wasn't in my prostate anymore – it was secondary cancer in my bones. If I'd thought to check earlier, maybe I'd have caught it in time. That's why this campaign is so important – so others don't end up in the same situation."
Hoy's openness has already made a difference:
"When I told a friend about my diagnosis, he went for a PSA test and found out he had cancer," says Hoy. "He's now had treatment and got the all-clear. If my story helps even one person, it's worth it."
Funds raised by will support the , a pioneering study tackling the limitations of current screening methods:
The trial aims to create earlier, more accurate detection methods, saving thousands of lives by ensuring men catch the disease before it's too late.
Darts isn't just a game – it's a platform to inspire life-saving action. Research backs this up:
"Sport brings people together," Hoy says. "It's the perfect stage to deliver a message that can save lives."
"We've always loved making noise, but this time, it's about breaking the silence," "Men are notoriously bad at talking about their health, so we created The BIGGER 180 to change that. At the Paddy Power World Darts Championship – a place where men feel comfortable and connected - every 180 scored isn't just about cheers and beers; it's another step towards saving lives.
"By teaming up with Chris Hoy and Prostate Cancer UK, we're turning the biggest stage in darts into a platform for real change."
Hoy's message is simple but powerful:
"This campaign is about hitting the biggest 180 of all – saving lives," Hoy says. "Together, we're creating something that's going to change lives for the better. But we need every man, every fan, to step up and take that first step."
The Paddy Power World Darts Championship kicks off on Sunday, 15th December, bringing world-class darts and life-changing impact to the stage at Alexandra Palace. Supported by Britain's most decorated Olympian, Chris Hoy, the The BIGGER 180 campaign is turning every dart into a chance to save lives. With £1,000 donated by Paddy Power to Prostate Cancer UK for every 180 scored and a massive £180,000 for every nine-dart finish, the campaign aims to raise over £1 million to fund the TRANSFORM Trial and help revolutionise prostate cancer detection. Add to that the goal of getting 180,000 men to take Prostate Cancer UK's 30-second risk checker, and this partnership is setting its sights on hitting the ultimate bullseye: saving lives. Don't miss the action and make your move – find out more at www.paddypower.com and www.prostatecanceruk.org .
Follow The BIGGER 180 campaign on Paddy Power's ' X ' account and keep up with the running tally of the amount raised via Paddy Power News' Totaliser throughout the tournament
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