Call To Arms round
AFL leagues will fight back against one of their fiercest opponents this weekend, cancer, when they take part in Cancer Council’s Call To Arms fundraiser.
Call To Arms is one of Cancer Council’s annual fundraising events that offers men’s sporting groups of all ages and codes the opportunity to help raise funds and awareness for cancer – a disease that affects one in two Australian men by the age of 85.
Clubs throughout NSW have signed up for the cause and will hold their own Call to Action fundraising activities over the weekend.
The money raised will go towards Cancer Council’s men’s cancer research, prevention, information and support services.
Thousands of sporting teams will wear yellow armbands in show of support to men who have survived cancer, those currently facing the cancer fight, and to remember men who have lost their lives.
Last year, more than 3,700 sports teams throughout NSW took part in the fundraiser, and helped raise more than $240,000 across NSW.
One in two Australian men will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85, with 62,500 people expected to be diagnosed with the disease this year – including 19,500 men from NSW alone.
Encouragingly, some cancers are preventable. While Australian men are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and are more likely to die from the disease, one in three cancers is actually preventable.
All you have to do is step up and get active by exercising 30 to 60 minutes a day. By limiting red meat intake to three to four times a week and increasing the amount of vegetables consumed each day you can reduce your risk of being diagnosed with cancer. And the big one, if people stop smoking they will drastically reduce the chance of being diagnosed with cancer.
Cancer doesn’t just affect players it affects parents, families, friends and the people that matter most to you.
The official Call To Arms fundraiser is this weekend, although clubs can hold their own match at other times throughout the season. It’s not too late to get involved in this great initiative. Visit www.calltoarms.com.au for more information.
