Tombola has launched its “Eyes down, Check-up” campaign to encourage its UK customers to examine themselves for breast cancer.
The campaign has been co-designed with Breast Cancer Now, in which Tombola is committed to raise £1m for the research and treatment support charity.
Operating as the UK’s biggest online bingo room, Tombola aims for one million customers “to take a moment for their health”, by normalising breast checks as a routine part of self-care.
The initiative comes as YouGov data reveals that just 44% of women regularly check their breasts, with one in ten saying they can’t recall the last time they did.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in the UK, with one woman diagnosed every 10 minutes and one man daily. Yet two-thirds of cases are spotted not through screenings but by individuals noticing a change and contacting their GP.
Tombola’s campaign centres on a new interactive tool : ‘Breast Check Now’ a platform that takes less than a minute to complete and encourages users to touch, look and check, offering clear visual prompts and regular reminders.
Marion Ryan, Tombola MD, said: “This partnership is about more than awareness – it’s about giving people the knowledge and tools to act. We’re standing by our community and want them to feel empowered to take their health seriously.”
Bingo beats Stigma
To drive momentum, Tombola has launched a series of charity jackpot games under the ‘Bingo Against Breast Cancer’ banner. Five headline games will run over the next year, each offering a £50,000 prize pool and donating at least £50,000 directly to the charity.
The campaign has the backing of Dame Tracey Crouch, former Sports Minister and breast cancer survivor, who called the awareness drive “critical and timely.”
TV personality and Tombola brand ambassador Josie Gibson will front the campaign’s public engagement efforts. She is set to host an in-person event at Westfield Stratford City on 7 August, where an interactive installation will guide visitors through the symptoms to look out for.
“Until recently, I didn’t realise how unsure so many of us are when it comes to spotting signs of breast cancer – me included,” Gibson said. “This is just the start of my own learning journey, and I want to help others feel confident, not scared, about checking themselves.”
Gibson will also host a series of ‘Sofa Sessions’ during the event alongside medical experts from Breast Cancer Now, addressing topics like breast health, taboos, and what to do if you notice something unusual.
£250,000 donation
Tombola is beginning the campaign with an initial £250,000 donation to Breast Cancer Now, ahead of a full-year fundraising drive that aims to bring in £1 million. The firm said more than half of its online community has been affected by breast cancer either personally or through a loved one.
Claire Rowney, Chief Executive of Breast Cancer Now, welcomed the campaign: “Around two-thirds of breast cancers are spotted by women who notice something themselves. Early detection is vital, and this campaign provides a powerful new way to make regular checks part of everyday life.”
“As such we’re really excited that as part of our partnership, tombola has launched an innovative, easy-to-use tool to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and help even more people to understand what to look out for and feel empowered to take action if something doesn’t feel right. Our ambition is that by 2050 anyone diagnosed with breast cancer will live, and live well.”
September 15 will see SBC organise a groundbreaking charity football event in Lisbon. Make sure you get the chance to see some of the most legendary names in football by securing your ticket today at https://www.legendscharitygame.com/
