Dig deep for men’s health

Pro ams on the Southern Division circuit are being asked to help raise money and awareness for the E. J. Whitten Foundation at their upcoming events.

The request follows the signing of a partnership between the PGA and the E. J. Whitten Foundation set to commence with the start of the 2009/2010 Order of Merit Season.

The E. J. Whitten Foundation strives to support research and awareness of prostate cancer, the most common cancer found in Australian men after skin cancer, and second only to lung cancer as the most common cause of cancer related deaths in men. The disease is found mainly in men over the age of 50 with approximately 12,000 new cases diagnosed each year.

The Foundation was established to commemorate the memory of AFL legend Ted Whitten Senior who unfortunately passed away due to Prostate Cancer. Ted was the largest of the larger than-life characters that have decorated Australian Rules football.

Considered by many as the most complete footballer to play the game, he was also a rich mixture of headline grabbing talent – schoolboy prodigy, working-class battler, inspirational leader, knockabout clown, The King of Footscray, the man was equal parts of kindness and charity, tough talk and loveable devilment.

Ted passed away from Prostate Cancer in 1995. If Ted had of commenced an annual check-up with his local doctor after turning 50 years of age and was more aware of the consequences of the disease, there is a strong chance he could still be with us today.

Committed to spreading the message of awareness, the E. J. Whitten Foundation has partnered with the PGA to get the message out to golfers everywhere. As part of the association, pro am clubs are being asked to raise their entry fee by $2.00 or to contribute in other ways e.g. through raffles or auctions. All money raised will go direct to the Foundation. Already the response to the initiative has been well received, with some of Victoria’s biggest pro ams pledging their generous support.

Additionally the E. J. Whitten Foundation will also be a partner of the Moonah Classic and Moonah Amateur Classic events which will be played in early February.

Since its inception the Foundation has raised over 1.8 million dollars with the funds going to the E.J. Whitten Fellowship at the Cancer Council of Victoria. Donations are also made to the Alfred Foundation (William Buckland Prostate Centre), Garvan Institute of Medical Research, E.J. Whitten Prostatic Assessment Centre, E.J. Whitten Cancer Treatment Centre – Western Private Hospital.

To get your club or event involved and help support men’s health, contact the Southern Division of the PGA on 03 8320 1981.