A new social media craze could be just around the corner, the ‘Feeling Nuts’ challenge. Celebrities such as Hugh Jackman have already taken up the challenge, which aims to bring greater awareness to the dangers of testicular cancer.
On hearing a challenge called ‘Feeling Nuts', jumping out of an airplane or rafting down whitewater rapids may spring to mind – but not in this case. The dare is aimed at raising awareness of testicular cancer, a disease, which is contracted by one male every hour in the United States.
The challenge works like this – the participant needs to grab his manhood, take a picture and then nominate someone else to take up the dare.
Australian film star Jackman, famous for his role as Wolverine in the box office blockbuster X-Men franchise, was one of the first to take up the challenge. He posed along with three friends, before passing the baton on to comedian Ricky Gervais and William Shatner.
Gervais, of 'The Office' fame, needed no second invitation to accept the dare, posting his picture, ‘feeling his nuts’, online within an hour, while Star Trek's William Shatner was equally keen.
Meanwhile, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver got in on the action, putting down his knives and frying pan to raise awareness.
Guys I'm #feelingnuts raising awareness for testicular cancer I'm nominating @Dexfletch@TinieTempah@edsheeranpic.twitter.com/IuSfYs8WmY
— Jamie Oliver (@jamieoliver) September 21, 2014
Females don't have to worry about testicular cancer, but some were still happy to promote the campaign, with the help of some props.
Some of the lovely ladies in the office also wanted to feel some nuts, safety first! #feelingnuts@check_one_twopic.twitter.com/GVG5jBHvXy
— TBS Foundation (@TBSFoundation) October 2, 2014
The new craze was started by brothers Simon and Andrew Salter, who founded the website Check One Two. Their website and their Twitter feed not only give information about the latest stars who have taken up and completed the challenge, but also importantly, advice about how to check for testicular cancer and what to do if you think you have symptoms.
Check them monthly so you know what’s normal down below. If you've a new status quo, to the doc you must go. #FeelingNuts#nationalpoetryday
— Check One Two (@check_one_two) October 2, 2014
The 'Feeling Nuts' challenge will of course bring back memories of the ALS 'Ice Bucket Challenge', which took social media by storm over the summer. Participants had 24 hours upon being nominated to pour a ice cold bucket of water over their heads.
Up until the end of January 2014, the charity had managed to raise just over $26 million in a year. However, given the public awareness generated by the 'Ice Bucket Challenge', the organization said it received $115 million in donations over the summer alone.
Testicular cancer is most common amongst males between the ages of 15 and 35 - the age group that the 'Feeling Nuts' campaign is most likely to target. According to the website Cancer Research UK, cases of the disease being prevalent have almost doubled since the 1970s. However, the good news is that if it's caught early, the survival rate is around 95 percent, emphasizing the importance of this new social media craze.