Rovers Appeal to Fans
Rovers Support for Run
Directors of Bristol Rovers are encouraging the club’s supporters to follow their lead and get tested for prostate cancer.
The Club has adopted Run for the Future, which raises money for prostate cancer research, as one of its charities for the 2009/10 season and six of the their directors had PSA blood tests at Southmead Hospital to check for the disease.
Run for the Future is an annual 5km run organised by Bristol Rotarians, in aid of the Bristol Urological Institute’s Prostate Cancer Appeal. This year’s event, which is sponsored by Spire Hospital, takes place on Sunday, 20 September, and Rovers’ Directors hope the club’s supporters will rally to the cause.
After learning that prostate cancer claims the lives of 10,000 men every year in the UK, Director Barry Bradshaw says it’s a matter of common sense. “We men need a kick up the backside sometimes to look after our health. I’m having my blood tested for prostate cancer because I don’t want to die of ignorance.”
Barry had the test at the BUI alongside Club Chairman, Nick Higgs, fellow directors Geoff Dunford and Tony Watola, plus Director of Football, Lennie Lawrence.
Nick Higgs says supporters encourages Rovers’ fans ask their GP for a check-up. “If we can help save just one life by supporting Run for the Future then it’s worth it.”
Bristol Rovers is carrying details of this year’s Run for the Future on the Club website and in its match day programme. During the season Run for the Future will also be having a series of bucket collections at home matches.
The first three Runs for the Future raised more than £130,000, which is now funding a joint research project between the BUI and the University of the West of England into early diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.
It’s hoped that the research will lead to a more accurate test for the disease and the introduction of a national screening programme on the NHS.
For further information, or to register, visit www.runforthefuture.org or ring the Run for the Future Office on 0117 959 6328.
Picture shows (l-r standing) - Finance Director Tony Watola, Barry Bradshaw, Geoff Dunford and Director of Football lennie Lawrence. Seated - Research Registrar Amit Mevcha, Rovers club chairman Nick Higgs and David Gillatt, Director of the Bristol Urological Institute.
