Sporting legends on their bikes to support Prostate Cancer

MEDIA RELEASE

16 JULY 2018

Sporting legends get on their bikes to support Prostate Cancer

All Black legend Buck Shelford, former Silver Fern Jenny-May Clarkson and cycling great Jack Swart are jumping on their bikes for an endurance cycling race to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

Each of the sporting legends is pulling together a team to take part in this year’s Pedal4Prostate cycling event, run by the Prostate Cancer Foundation on 7th October at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park.

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, teams of two to four riders (or keen individuals), take to the motor racing track and ride in relay style for four hours.

Shelford, All Black captain from 1987 – 1990, has recruited Joe Stanley, Ian Jones, Ian Kirkpatrick and Dean Kenny to hit the track alongside him.

“I’m pretty happy to be riding with some of my former teammates and these guys are just as passionate as me about getting behind the cause and encouraging other Kiwi blokes our age to go and get tested.”

The Prostate Cancer Foundation estimates one in eight Kiwi men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year and more than 600 will die from the disease. Prostate Cancer is the number one cancer in Kiwi men and more men get prostate cancer than women get breast cancer.

Shelford says screening and early detection are key and he hopes this event will inspire others to take control of their health and get tested.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation in partnership with Mazda NZ and Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, have launched a new digital video campaign “I Ride For” to help raise awareness of prostate cancer and Pedal4Prostate.

Prostate Cancer Foundation CEO, Graeme Woodside, says the event is a fantastic opportunity to honour loved ones.

“We see so many partners and families who are affected by a dad, grandad, brother or son with prostate cancer – it is a disease that touches the whole family.”

In the poignant videos, Shelford and Clarkson, along with a number of everyday Kiwis, tell their personal stories about why prostate cancer is a cause close to their hearts and who they are riding for in the Pedal4Prostate event.

Sporting legends or not, one thing they all have in common is that prostate cancer has affected their lives – either through advocacy work, because of losing a loved one, or after being diagnosed themselves.

The series of short videos highlight the toll prostate cancer takes on those diagnosed and their family members, as well as encouraging others to ride Pedal4Prostate.

Clarkson says she was keen to be a part of the campaign and Pedal4Prostate because she has seen the impact prostate cancer has had on her own family.

“As the mother of twin boys whose father’s side has seen the devastation of the disease first hand, I’m passionate about raising awareness and encouraging men to get tested.”

Mazda NZ Managing Director, David Hodge, says they’re proud to once again get behind the event that helps support Kiwi blokes and their families.

“Last year it was amazing to see everyone pedalling around the world class motor track, and this year we hope to see even more money raised for the worthy cause.”

Pedal4Prostate raises vital funds to support the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand. For more information and to register, visit https://pedal4prostate.org.nz/

ENDS.

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