SA Amateur Football League teams are Uniting In The Fight to beat men’s cancers by supporting Cancer Council SA’s Call To Arms – a month long awareness and fundraising event.

They join fellow high profile ambassadors Adelaide Crow’s Patrick Dangerfield and Nathan Van Berlo urging teams and clubs of all ages and leagues to tackle what could be their toughest opponent yet – cancer.

SAAFL media manager Ashley Porter said life was often about percentages, and it must be a concern to everyone that almost 5000 South Australian men are confronted by a cancer diagnosis of some form. “It is reasonable to suggest that everyone knows a person with cancer,” he said.

“The South Australian Amateur Football League has more than10,000 registered players representing 220 teams and 67 clubs. One would like to hope that because these players are generally fit and healthy they are immune to cancer. Of course, they are not, and based on percentages men’s cancers will continue to have a profound impact on this football community.

“As a league the SAAFL has a responsibility to play its part in this daunting fight.  Sport teaches us that not every battle can be won, but it’s the trying that presents the greatest challenge and reward.  Contests are only won with great support and teamwork, and the SAAFL urges everyone to support Cancer Council SA.”

Call To Arms gives sporting clubs the ability to help save men’s lives and the funds raised will help prevent and detect cancers, find new treatments, as well as support those affected.

It also helps spread the message that up to 50 per cent of cancers are preventable.  Men can reduce their risk by not smoking, reducing alcohol intake, eating healthily and exercising.

Call To Arms is open to all ages, from junior leagues up to professional clubs of all codes. For more information and to register, visit www.calltoarms.com.au or call 1300 65 65 85.

Notes to editors:
Call To Arms was born out of the Clash for Cancer first held by Essendon Football Club three years ago, when the team wanted to show its support for one of its players, Adam Ramanauskas who had been diagnosed with cancer for the second time.

Statistics on men’s cancers in SA
• About 4,900 South Australian men are diagnosed with cancer each year.
• By this time tomorrow, 13 South Australian men will have heard the words ‘you have cancer’.
• The most common cancers facing men in SA are lung, colorectal and prostate cancer.
• The Australian survival rate for many common cancers has increased by more than 30 per cent in the past two decades.
• While more than 60 per cent of South Australian men will now survive a cancer diagnosis, cancer remains the leading cause of death.  Every year about 1,900 SA men will lose their lives as a result of the disease.
• Compared to women, SA men are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer, and are less likely to survive their diagnosis.
• Many men don’t realise that up to 50 per cent of cancers are preventable.  You can reduce your cancer risk by not smoking, reducing alcohol intake, eating healthily and exercising.
• Not smoking, or giving up, is the single most effective strategy to prevent cancer.  Nationally, one in nine cancer cases, and more than one in five cancer deaths (more than 7,700 every year) are caused by cigarette smoking.
• Those with questions about cancer can call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.

For more information contact Nicole Thomas on media@cancersa.org.au or 0400 855 244