Yorkshire V Cancer
Yorkshire Cancer Research has teamed up with the Quaid-e-Azam Cricket League to raise awareness of cancer among Yorkshire’s Asian community.
Staff and volunteers from the charity will attend events throughout the summer to help people understand the signs and symptoms of the disease and encourage them to attend screening appointments.
The league will also hold a special ‘Yorkshire V Cancer’ fundraising event on Monday 29th August, at Saltaire Cricket Club.
The 8-a-side tournament will raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research through donations, a raffle and entertainment.
Yorkshire Cancer Research is the current charity partner of The Yorkshire County Cricket Club, the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation and the Yorkshire Cricket Board.
The three organisations are working together to reduce the impact of cancer in Yorkshire, where people are more likely to get cancer, and more likely to die from it, than most other areas in England.
One of the charity’s main priorities for 2016 is improving the early detection of cancer in Yorkshire.
Patients diagnosed with cancer at an early stage – before the tumour grows or spreads to other tissues or organs – tend to be treated more successfully and have a better chance of survival.
Basharat Hussain, Chairperson of the Quaid-e-Azam League, said: “The promotion of a health issue so undermined within the Asian community can only be for the benefit for those that play in the league and their families and we are proud to work with Yorkshire Cancer Research on this issue to get the Asian community talking about cancer.”
Sophie Bunker, Community Engagement Officer at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: “Our outreach into the Asian community is a major focus for us this year and cricket is a fantastic tool for us to bring the community together.
“We will be pushing our early diagnosis campaign at the varying events the Quaid-e-Azam league is involved with throughout the year to ensure people understand and are aware of cancer’s signs and symptoms and when they should visit their GP for further advice.”
Yorkshire Cancer Research is encouraging all 778 local clubs in Yorkshire to hold a ‘Yorkshire V Cancer’ event during 2016 and help to raise funds. Clubs or businesses that choose to host a fundraising day will receive a pack with hints, tips and promotional materials to get events up and running.
For more information about holding a ‘Yorkshire V Cancer’ cricket match, visit www.ycr.org.uk/yorkshirevcancer or contact Sophie by emailing sophieb@ycr.org.uk or calling 07470 057493.
