HAMMER Benin organised the Blue November prostate cancer awareness walk. Prostate cancer remains one of the most common health threats to men worldwide, yet it is still surrounded by silence, late detection, and limited awareness. This tension between how preventable the disease can be and how little people know is exactly why initiatives like Blue November matter.
Because every institution, every leader, and every person has an important role to play.
Raising Awareness Through Action
As part of the Blue November campaign, the HAMMER team organised a ten-kilometre Prostate Cancer Awareness Walk with a clear objective: to educate, engage, and inspire healthier living.
Before the walk, participants attended a seminar led by a urology expert who explained key risk factors, prevention methods, and the lifestyle habits that reduce vulnerability. Many realised that awareness is not just about receiving information. It is about changing attitudes and creating commitment.
A team that walks together learns together
The activity brought together HAMMER BENIN management, project managers, coordinators, and company drivers. Around fifty participants took part. Despite busy schedules and a few absences, the strong turnout reinforced a powerful message.
Wellness is not an individual responsibility alone. It is a collective one.
A route with meaning
The walk started at the Amazone Monument, a symbol of strength and resilience.
Participants passed significant sites along the way, including the Presidential Palace, the Sofitel Hotel, and the EREVAN shopping centre, before continuing along the beach.
At the Fidjrosse roundabout, the team turned back and followed the same route to return to the starting point.
Moments that brought the Team closer
The experience was marked by meaningful moments that lifted the energy of the group:
- A collective warm-up session
- A friendly and lively start with music and colleagues encouraging each other
- Upon return, stretching exercises, a photo session, and refreshments, including sandwiches, fruits, and yoghurt
The atmosphere throughout the walk was positive, supportive, and enjoyable.
The real impact of changing mindsets
The activity produced results that go beyond the actual walk:
- Stronger team spirit and deeper cohesion
- An opportunity to connect outside the formal work environment
- Encouragement to engage in healthier physical activity
- Many participants expressed motivation to start exercising regularly and adopt better lifestyle habits
This reflects the deeper tension that Blue November seeks to address.
Awareness saves lives, but awareness only grows when people take action.
A final thought
This walk was more than a physical activity. It was a reminder of our shared responsibility.
Because every institution, every leader, and every person has an important role to play in ensuring that conversations about mens health are open, timely, and taken seriously.
Sometimes, it simply begins with a walk.
