Essendon Football Club will continue to support the important fight against cancer in the annual 'Clash for Cancer' game against Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium tonight.
In partnership with Cancer Council Victoria, tonight’s eighth annual ‘Clash for Cancer’ game first originated after the club’s players wore yellow armbands in support of teammate Adam Ramanauskas who was diagnosed with cancer in 2003, and again in 2006.
Essendon will again wear its signature ‘Clash for Cancer’ guernsey tonight with the yellow armband on the left side of the jumper paying tribute to Ramanauskas and all Australian men in the fight against cancer.
The Clash for Cancer/Call to Arms campaign is a Cancer Council Victoria awareness program that encourages players, administrators and supporters from all sporting codes to wear a yellow armband and dedicate a match to raising funds to fight cancer in men.
Essendon Interim Chief Executive Officer Ray Gunston said the club remained committed to the ongoing fight against the disease.
“Cancer is a disease that affects everyone on some level and it is important that we as a club continue the fight against it,” Gunston said.
“We’re proud to again partner with Cancer Council Victoria to raise funds, but more importantly, awareness for the disease.”
Cancer Council Victoria Chief Executive Officer Todd Harper said the statistics around cancer in men were confronting.
“Some men consider themselves bullet proof – too tough to get sick. However, the statistics don’t lie: one in every two men will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85,” Harper said.
“At Cancer Council Victoria, we are working hard to tackle this disease and reduce its devastating effects on our entire community.
“It’s fantastic that Essendon are supporting the essential work we do by holding this match to raise money and awareness of cancer in men. We, in turn, are supporting them in their clash against Hawthorn – game on!”
Essendon will auction off its 22-match worn, signed player guernsey’s from tonight’s game with all proceeds going towards Cancer Council Victoria. Click here to start your bidding today.
