Twelve men from Oldham have come together to pose for a calendar to fundraise for national cancer charity, Maggie’s.
The men, who each have different types of cancer, and who meet once every week at a specialist Men’s Group at Maggie’s Oldham next to Royal Oldham Hospital, took the initiative to organise the calendar as a way to give back to Maggie’s for the support they have received.
The calendar was the idea of David McCallion. David (62) was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer in 2019, after going to his GP on finding an inverted nipple.
David said: “We have a great group of lads that get together every Tuesday morning for the Men’s Group at Maggie’s for cancer support. We each have different types of cancer, but we are all going through similar experiences.
“Cancer can be very isolating but the Men’s Group allows us to give each other support while also having specialist oncology staff on hand who can help us out with all the facts. We also have a Whatsapp group and we meet outside of Maggie’s too to go to the football and for trips out, and even the odd curry.
“The group wanted to give something back to Maggie’s for all of the help they have given us and that’s why we got together to pose for our special Maggie’s Men’s Calendar. The photos in the calendar show that we have a special camaraderie in the group and there is a real poignancy to the photos too.
“We’re hoping to raise as much money as we can through the calendar for Maggie’s so they can support many other people like us. We also wanted to raise awareness in men, in general to talk about health more openly.
David urges men to check for lumps in their testicles and breasts by saying: “Check the best, then check the rest. In general report any change in health that is not your normal to your GP, early detection literally saves lives.”
David added: “Cancer holds back for nobody. It’s important that men look after their health, and no one should be embarrassed to see a doctor. We hope our calendar will help start conversations. We hope it encourages other men with cancer to talk with like-minded people. We know from experience that it works.”
Peter Crofts (82) who is ‘Mr September’ and attends the group for support with his prostate cancer and mesothelioma, added: “On behalf of all the guys, I’d like to thank our printers, Dornan’s Printers Ltd and paper supplier, Elliott Baxter & Company Ltd, for their generosity and expertise in producing the calendar.
“I’d also like to thank our major Benefactor LBT Brick & Facades (Brickability Limited) and sponsors, Merji Recruitment, Leisure Lakes Bikes Ltd, Indigo Forecourts Ltd, Saddleworth Paws, for their kind donations and support.”
In total, the number of visits by men to Maggie's across the UK rose to 123,248 in 2025, an annual increase of 5.2% and the equivalent of 119 more men visiting a centre each week.
Despite this increase, men still make up only 36% of all visits to Maggie's, and the charity is urging more men to come forward and seek support to manage the impact of cancer.
Maggie’s Oldham Centre Head Trish Morgan said: “Cancer can come with a loss of identity and treatment can feel very exposing. We must help men get beyond any embarrassment or shame in asking for support.
“Sharing how you feel in a group session, with other men, can help make cancer feel more manageable. At Maggie’s we would love to see the same number of men coming for support in our centres as we do women.
“I would like to say a huge thank you to the men for creating this calendar. Not only are they helping us support others by fundraising, but their openness about the difference coming to Maggie’s has made to them will undoubtedly inspire other men living with cancer to get the support they need”
Maggie’s offers free expert support to people with cancer in its 27 centres across the UK. The professional staff can help with anything from stress, anxiety, treatment questions, money worries and talking to friends and family. The charity also supports family and friends of those with a cancer diagnosis.
There are men’s support groups on offer, as well as specific cancer type groups, exercise, nutrition and one to one support with a psychologist. If you or anyone you know has cancer, they can just come into any of the centres, there is no need for a referral or appointment.
For more information and to find your nearest centre visit www.maggies.org
A copy of the Men’s Calendar for Maggie’s can be bought from Maggie’s Oldham
