Fundraiser for prostate cancer

After a successful Charity Race Day in 2022, Clubs

NSW Central Coast Region will hold another event to help raise vital funds for Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) on Thursday, June 15.

The Central Coast branch hopes to continue increasing awareness and support for men and families living in the region with prostate cancer.

The Charity Race Day will be held at the Wyong Race Club during Men’s Health Week, with all proceeds going to PCFA’s work across the Central Coast. Across the region more than 300 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year.

Alarmingly, local men have a 20 per cent increased risk of death from the disease compared to the national average.

Clubs NSW Central Coast Chairman Phil Walker said the branch was committed to helping save lives and ensuring that all men had the best chance of survival.

“Too many Central Coast men are dying before their time from this disease, and we are committed to working with PCFA to do something about it, by getting the message out and raising funds for lifesaving research and specialist nursing services,” he said.

“Last year our inaugural event for PCFA raised $20,000 which helped support a local Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse and distribute more survivorship kits to local men.

“We know the profound difference that this partnership can have, and we’re honoured to once again be raising funds for this worthy cause.

“We hope that the community will get behind the Charity Race Day and show their support by joining us for a day on the track.”

PCFA CEO Anne Savage said almost one in four cancers among men on the Central Coast were prostate cancer, which spoke to the prevalence

Dr Wayne Harvey from the Australian Melanoma Research Foundation said the survival rate from advanced melanoma has improved over the last decade, largely due to improvements in detection and treatment.

“We know 90 per cent of melanomas can be treated successfully if caught early,” he said.

“Early detection is associated with high survival rates.

“Hairdressers and barbers are in regular contact with their clients and access hard-to-see spots, so they are very well placed to recognise skin changes.

“Helping the industry to develop the skills to recognise a suspicious spot and then confidently talk about skin changes with their clients has the potential to significantly contribute to reducing the incidence of melanoma long term.”

To find out more about ‘Spot a Spot’ visit www.tafensw.edu. au/spot-a-spot

Source: TAFE NSW of this disease and the impact it had on the local community.

“This important partnership enables us create change and raise awareness and funds that can save lives and promote detection of prostate cancer before it spreads,” she said.

“We know that we can beat this disease if we detect it at its earliest stage, and we are galloping towards that goal faster than ever thanks to the Clubs NSW Central Coast Region and Wyong Racing.

“We could not be more grateful to those involved and the local heroes who have inspired this partnership, and we look forward to hitting the track again.”

Source: Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia