DARWIN LUNCHEON RAISES OVER $200,000 FOR PROSTATE CANCER
One of Australia’s biggest charity lunches - It’s A Bloke Thing (IABT) – returned to the Darwin Airport on Tuesday, February 25th 2020, raising over $200,000 to continue funding the regions only specialist Prostate Cancer nurse.
Founded 10 years ago by a group of men in Toowoomba with a personal connection to the disease, the foundation’s annual events have raised over $10 million for research, education and care since inception.
Two years ago, the event crossed the border for the first time to the Northern Territory, with money raised from the inaugural event funding the first full-time specialist prostate cancer nurse in Darwin.
The Darwin luncheon’s Chair and local radio identity, Katie Woolf, lost her dad Rod to prostate cancer only 11 months after his diagnosis.
“It was heartbreaking for our family and that’s why I feel so passionate about raising awareness across the Territory through this event and also Run with Dad. Early detection is so important to patient outcomes and we are doing our part to provide more localised education and care initiatives for the disease” Katie said.
The It’s a Bloke Thing Foundation Chairman, Marcus Barnard was excited to see the event return to the Northern Territory and to continue spreading the message about men’s health, for the sake of saving lives.
“Each year our committee’s objective is to grow awareness of this disease and raise much needed money for research into a cure. We aim to educate and encourage men to have regular tests as early detection and treatment are key” Mr Barnard said.
More than 230 Darwin business and community leaders including a strong Queensland contingent raised over $200,000 to further support the city’s specialist prostate cancer Nurse.
Guests enjoyed key speakers, Australian identity and Croc Wrangler Matt Wright as well as Rio Tinto Iron Ore, Chief Executive Officer, Chris Salisbury.
The It’s a Bloke Thing events have grown significantly and are now held in Darwin, Toowoomba, Gold Coast and Noosa – some of our key stars have included Keith Urban, Ronan Keating, Ray Martin, Daryl Braithwaite.
