Borne out of a show of support for teammate Adam Ramanauskas, the Essendon Football Club is once again preparing to celebrate its long-standing partnership with Cancer Council Victoria.

Now entering its 10th Year, the ‘Clash for Cancer’ game originated when the club decided to take a stand in support of premiership player Adam Ramanauskas and his battle with cancer.

Despite the AFL denying the Bombers request to pay tribute to 'Rama' with a special yellow armband, the club decided to wear the jumper and the fine in support of a true champion.

It was later agreed by the AFL that the $20,000 would be donated to the Cancer Council of Victoria, Essendon’s preferred charity. The following year, the AFL agreed to incorporate a yellow band into the sleeve of the Essendon guernsey for their annual ‘Clash for Cancer’ game.

Since then more than $400,000 has been raised through 'Clash for Cancer' matches, and more importantly, awareness about men’s health and reducing their cancer risk.

The event has also spread further than just this one match. Sporting clubs of all codes and levels have also joined the cause by nominating a game each season and raising a staggering $1.55 million through the Call To Arms campaign.

With one in three Victorians being diagnosed with cancer by the age of 75 many of our family and friends will be touched by cancer in some way.

During our 10-year partnership Cancer Council Victoria has:

  • Funded $46 million worth of research conducted in universities, hospitals and research institutions since 2003, helping to increase five-year survival rates to 67%.
  • Helped reduce smoking rates to 13% (down from 21.8% in 1998), saving an estimated 167,000 lives – more than three times the capacity of Etihad Stadium.
  • Trained 350 Cancer Connect volunteers across Victoria to provide peer support across many different types of cancers.
  • Distributed more than $2.3 million to nearly 12,000 people affected by cancer through its Financial Assistance Program.

 Help Cancer Council Victoria continue the fight against cancer by fundraising to win one of 10 amazing prizes, including a lunch date with Jobe Watson and two tickets to the EFC Chairman’s Function. Click here to find out more.

Essendon takes on Melbourne for the 10th annual Clash for Cancer on Saturday July 11. Buy your tickets today!