Jonah Lomu Fights for Prostate Cancer

August 29, 2011

Jonah Lomu Fights for Prostate Cancer

Lomu leads “Team Rugby” In the Woodstock Reserve Fight for Life

Woodstock Reserve Fight for Life has announced The Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand as its chosen charity partner for 2011.

After a four year break the crowd revving Fight for Life charity event has pegged December as its long awaited comeback fight night and boasts a thumping who’s who line-up of rugby vs. league sporting legends.

Former All Black Jonah Lomu leads “Team Rugby” with Wendell Sailor named as the key man for “Team League”. Organisers are due to go public tomorrow with the full line up and they are promising “an extreme battle-of-the-codes” with three times two minute boxing rounds for charity.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation is expected to receive over $100,000 cash from Woodstock Reserve Fight for Life, including 100% of net fundraising proceeds derived from auctions, pledge draws, raffles and donations.

“This is a remarkable opportunity for us,” said Keith Beck, CEO for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand. “Blue September is our major fund and awareness raising campaign. But this year the extra profile that Woodstock Reserve Fight for Life offers us is invaluable to our message to men to get checked for prostate cancer. Even better is the support from these high profile Maori and Pacific Island athletes. Men from those ethnicities have the worst rates of death from prostate cancer in the OECD.” Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in New Zealand, affecting 1 in 10. It is as dangerous to men as breast cancer is to women. While the superstars of sport will be getting hard for their pre-Christmas clashes, New Zealand men need not work themselves up to get checked for prostate cancer. “Many men think you need to have a physical examination to test for this disease,” says Keith Beck. “The reality is the initial test can be a simple blood test.”

Fight for Life organisers believe they’ve timed their comeback perfectly to maximise the entertainment value of the night. “The Fight for Life extravaganza will be the pre- Christmas event on the New Zealand calendar. With the Rugby World Cup and the Kiwis’ tour to the UK complete, Kiwi sports fans will be looking for a quality sporting occasion and the Woodstock Reserve Fight for Life will be the perfect way for New Zealanders to see in the festive season.”

To donate to the Prostate Cancer Foundation visit www.blueseptember.org.nz or text ‘blue’ to 4740 from September 1st and donate $3 to Blue September.

Prostate Cancer Facts:

• Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in men. 1 in every 10 New Zealand men will get prostate cancer in their life time.
• Over 2,900 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year.
• 670 of our men are dying each year. The comparable disease in women, breast cancer, tragically claims 624 women a year.
• Shockingly, Maori and Pacific Island men have the highest mortality rate of any ethnicity in New Zealand and higher also than the mortality rates of any indigenous peoples in the world.
• The good news is at least half of the annual deaths from prostate cancer could be prevented by early detection.

What can you do to save yourself from prostate cancer?

• From age 40 onwards begin a PSA blood test.
• If you have a family history of prostate cancer in particular, you should start getting the PSA check annually from age 40.
• Make healthy lifestyle choices like reducing alcohol intake, eating a balanced diet and keeping up a fitness routine.
• Eat Foods such as cooked tomatoes, cranberries and pomegranates. They contain an antioxidant called lycopene that research shows may be beneficial for prostate health. Remember, prostate cancer is manageable and there are several options available if caught early.

What can you do to save others? Get Blue!

For the month of September The Prostate Cancer Foundation is asking Kiwis to “Get Blue!” to raise awareness of the disease. Friday September 2nd is “Blue Friday” and the perfect time for you, your family, your mates and your organisation to Get Blue!

Order your Blue Kits for a blue note donation from our website today www.blueseptember.org

ENDS

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