Barnet FC has pledged to help make 2012/13 a season saving men’s lives in support of The Football League’s new partnership with Prostate Cancer UK.
Players, staff and fans of the 72 Football League clubs will undertake a range of activities to help more men survive prostate cancer and enjoy a better quality of life, and The Bees have vowed to play their part.
Mark Robson, the club’s Head Coach said: “We are proud to be playing our part in The Football League’s new partnership with Prostate Cancer UK, and we look forward to working closely with both organisations to make the year ahead a season saving men’s lives.
“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, killing more than 10,000 in the UK every year. It’s so important that all men know about the disease, which is why are delighted to play our part in getting the message out there as far and wide as possible – throughout the football community and beyond.”
Former England, Watford and AC Milan striker Luther Blissett launched the partnership today alongside David Annand, a Prostate Cancer UK supporter who has pledged to walk 500 miles around football grounds over 12 months after being diagnosed with prostate cancer last year aged just 49.
Luther Blissett said: “Prostate Cancer UK’s groundbreaking partnership with The Football League is a fantastic way to raise awareness of the most common cancer in men. It’s brilliant that all 72 Football League clubs including Barnet are joining forces to spread the word about prostate cancer this season and help raise funds for the range of support services Prostate Cancer UK has to offer men affected by the disease.”
Owen Sharp, Chief Executive at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Every hour one man dies from prostate cancer, but still all too few men talk about their health as much as they should. Prostate Cancer UK’s partnership with The Football League will play an invaluable role in breaking down some of the taboos that still exist, which is vital in encouraging men to be more open and to think and talk about prostate cancer.
“We hope that everyone who comes through the turnstiles this season at Barnet Football Club will get behind the partnership to raise as much as possible and make an even bigger difference to the 250,000 men affected by the disease throughout the UK.”
Greg Clarke Chairman of The Football League said: “Prostate Cancer affects hundreds of thousands of people across the UK every single day and I’m proud that all 72 Football League clubs will unite behind a season saving men’s lives. I would encourage fans up and down the country to get involved with fundraising at their local League club to help fight this disease.
“With the help of The Football League and supporters, we can make more men, and their families, aware of their health and help raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK’s vital support services. By working with The Football League, our clubs and their local communities this partnership will play its part in helping Prostate Cancer UK make a difference to the lives of thousands of men across the country.”
Prostate Cancer UK is hoping to raise funds through a range of activity throughout the season, including dedicated weeks of support from 2nd to 16th March to coincide with Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
More than 65,000 Football League fans, club Chief Executives and Football League staff took part in the vote to choose Prostate Cancer UK as their charity partner for this season from a shortlist of six charities.
