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  • Friday, 29 Aug, 2014,
  • by Greyhound Racing Victoria

Pattinson set to Sizzle for Prostate Cancer

Key facts:

  • 120,000 men are living with prostate cancer in Australia
  • 20,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year
  • 3300 men will die of prostate cancer this year

Aussie cricketer James Pattinson is urging men to talk about their health while watching greyhounds sizzle around the track at one of 12 Big Aussie Barbies being held at Victorian greyhound racing venues this September.

Pattinson is supporting Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) throughout the campaign aimed at raising awareness of prostate cancer and funds for research, awareness and support. Prostate Cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer amongst men in Australia.

Each of GRV’s 12 operational tracks will host a Big Aussie Barbie kicking off at Sandown Park on Thursday 4 September and concluding at The Meadows on Saturday 4 October.

Pattinson – whose brother Darren is a full-time greyhound trainer – will be attending the events at Sandown Park and The Meadows and assisting with the promotion of the campaign throughout the month.

“I love my greyhounds and this is a great opportunity to combine this passion with raising awareness about prostate cancer and how important it is for men to talk about their health issues,” he said.

“I reckon that greyhound racing is a lot like Twenty20 cricket because it’s fast, fun, exciting and on the rise. People will see that when they attend these Big Aussie Barbies at any one of the 12 events that are going to be held.

“Prostate cancer is something that men tend to turn a little bit of a blind eye to even though it is the most commonly diagnosed cancer amongst men in Australia and we are hoping to change this.”

Victorian/Tasmanian State Manager at the PCFA, John Strachan, is thankful that GRV has thrown their support behind the organisation’s biggest promotion of the year.

“It’s a little known statistic that more men die of prostate cancer than women do of breast cancer so this is all about raising awareness for the disease and making sure that men are comfortable talking about their health issues,” Mr. Strachan said.

“The Big Aussie Barbie is our major campaign for the year and we urge people all over Australia to host an event in September in support of the PCFA.”

The main objectives of the promotion are to raise awareness for the disease, get men talking about their health and raise much needed funds for the PCFA so they can continue their outstanding work.

In addition to the Big Aussie Barbie, the blue number four rug will carry the PCFA’s logo for the next two years, beginning in September.

GRV and its clubs are aiming to raise $50,000 throughout the month in support of PCFA.

For more information go to: www.prostate.org.au

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PIC (top): James Pattinson with adopted greyhound Zorro at the MCG

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Greyhound Racing VictoriaGreyhound Racing Victoria

Greyhound Racing Victoria

GRV regulates the sport of greyhound racing in the state of Victoria under the Racing Act 1958 (Act), which includes setting standards and ensuring they are met by participants.

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