Wests Tigers get off the bench to help tackle men’s cancer

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Media Release - 17 June, 2010

Wests Tigers will help tackle men's cancer this Sunday 20 June when they take on Canberra Raiders at Leichardt Oval, supporting Cancer Council's Call To Arms fundraiser for the third year in a row.

Call To Arms is one of Cancer Council's annual fundraising events, through which sporting groups of all ages and codes help raise funds and awareness for men with cancer. Sporting clubs hold a Call To Arms match in July or at another time in the season, where players wear yellow armbands, and run fundraising activities.

Wests Tigers players will wear yellow armbands and yellow shoe laces in this Sunday's NRL and Toyota Cup games. Fans will be encouraged to help raise $10,000 on the day through various activities including making gold coin donations, purchasing a try card, or purchasing yellow armbands and shoelaces as worn by Wests Tigers players.

Fans can also donate online via links on the Wests Tigers website. All funds raised on the day will go towards Cancer Council's men's cancer research, prevention, information and support services like the Cancer Council Helpline (13 11 20).

In particular, Call To Arms ambassador and Wests Tigers' five-eighth, Benji Marshall is encouraging supporters to get behind the cause.

"A lot of people don't realise that one on two men in Australia will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85. It could be your best mate or a team member. In my case - it was my father," Benji said.

"I encourage our supporters to dig deep and help raise as much money as possible for this very worthwhile cause. We want to raise $10,000 on top of the $20,000 we have raised over the past two years."

Wests Tigers sponsors are also supporting the cause. Joint major sponsor MKB Contracting will donate $1000 to the Call To Arms campaign for every try Wests Tigers score against the Raiders in the NRL match. UD Trucks and Power Balance will each donate $500 for every try scored in the NRL game.

"It's great to see some of our sponsors donating a lot of money per try, so we will be doing our very best to not only win the game but to score plenty of tries as well. I hope we can deliver," Benji added.

Benji is also encouraging all sports team across the country to follow Wests Tigers' example and get involved in Call To Arms.

"Start to plan your Call To Arms match now. Pick a date in July or at another time during the season. Just go to www.calltoarms.com.au to find out more information about how you can get involved," Benji said.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Cancer Council - Casey Walton on 02 9334 1883/0413 889 283 or caseyw@nswcc.org.au
Wests Tigers - Wayne Cousins on 02 8741 3317/0412 115 195 or wcousins@weststigers.com.au