Pass 4 Prostate

I realise that there are whole chunks of the World who have no idea what Rugby Union is. I’m hardly qualified to explain, even though I have watched a few games over the last 45years or so. Just to let you know the World Cup is on. In England. It all kicks off today, England v Fiji, 8pm BST. Population wise you may think this is a bit of a mismatch, those Flying Fijians can play and the cibi will really set the tone. England can't afford to make any mistakes. What a match to get us all hooked (pun)!

Pass4prostate is a timely joint venture between USA Eagles and Australia Rugby Union sponsored by Astellas. You may need to brush up on your rugby skills as it involves you filming a pass. Astellas will donate $5 to prostate cancer research and advocacy organizations for every qualifying #pass4prostate submission posted to Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, up to a maximum contribution of $125,000. It’s simple for you to make your submission just click on the link to find out the details. To ensure Astellas make the maximum donation 25000 people have to act and maybe we can persuade Astellas to up the limit if we inundate them.

The Rugby World is changing, women are being seen in the media and on TV playing not just brewing up and dishing out the sandwiches which has to be progress. However, traditionally, the image has been of brutal encounters between gladiators intent on out manoevring if not actually demolishing the opposition. Testosterone fills the air, not only on the field. There are the greats and the moments which live long in the memory, the longer you’ve lived the more there are.

Obvious you might say but there is a point but there are a couple of names I’d like to remind you of. Tony Ward, Irish International fly half, is now a journalist and works with Irish broadcaser RTE as well as coaching. In 2012 he was diagnosed with aggressive Prostate Cancer and has received hormone therapy through an implant  and brachytherapy followed by radiotherapy. A tough regime. Tony is amazed at his own acceptance of the diagnosis, basically there are no options and wasting the life he has worrying is just not going to happen. He is optimistic it has been caught in time. He has our best wishes but I’m afraid I can’t be more enthusiastic toward the outcome for Ireland in the World Cup other than play well.

Andy Ripley OBE is the other rugby legend I want to mention. Read Ripley’s World to get to know the man who was a Liverpool born English International, a record holding rower and a participant in the series Superstars. He was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 2005 by which time the cancer had already spread beyond the prostate. He posted details of his treatment and experiences and volunteered as an Ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK promoting awareness particularly in the sporting world. Sadly he lost his courageous fight against the disease in 2010 aged 62. Please do remember him and his family as you enjoy the 2015 Rugby Union World Cup.

Image courtesy of Vectorolie at FreeDigitalPhotos.net