Jackie Schumacher hopes her giant blue papier-mâché finger will help point out the importance of regular prostate exams.
The Salmon Arm resident created her index-finger extended artwork a few years ago for this purpose.
“I created it a couple of years ago and during covid…,” said Schumacher, explaining the finger was used as intended in 2020, when it was set up at the Barley Station Brew Pub to help encourage donations for prostate cancer research. The finger will be back on display at the Barley Station this November, again to raise awareness and money for a cause Schumacher says is too important to be put off or ignored.
“I think it’s really important that men, especially, and women know it’s really important to get a regular prostate exam,” said Schumacher, a retired nurse. “I’ve had a few friends who have dealt with prostate cancer and if they hadn’t had the exam, they would probably be dead by now.
“So the finger is to attract attention and to get people thinking, ‘oh, what’s that about? Oh, we hadn’t thought of that.’”
While September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Canada, the campaign unofficially branched into November with the rise of the “Movember” movement that led to the growing of moustaches to raise awareness and make a difference around prostate and testicular cancers, as well as mental health.
Through November, donations can be made at the Barley Station that will go towards Prostate Cancer Foundation BC.
Read more: Doctors suggest new names for low-grade prostate cancer
Read more: Miracle Man: Keeping busy, staying happy aids Salmon Arm man’s fight with cancer
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