One of Australia’s biggest charity lunches - It’s A Bloke Thing (IABT) – returned to the Darwin Domestic Airport on Tuesday, March 5th 2019 raising over $250,000 to continue funding the regions only specialist Prostate Cancer nurse. 

Founded 9 years ago by a group of men in Toowoomba with a personal connection to the disease, the foundation’s annual events have raised over $8 million for research, education and care since inception.

In 2018, 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, Michael Hubbard was excited for the event to return to the Northern Territory and 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 Hubbard said.

More than 300 Darwin business and community leaders including a strong Queensland contingent dug deep again in 2019 to raise further funds for the city’s specialist prostate cancer Nurse.

Guests enjoyed key speakers, Australian comedian and TV identity Fiona O’Loughlin as well as Qantas’ Chief Executive Officer, Qantas Domestic and Freight Andrew David.

2018's Toowoomba event raised over $2,000,000, with guest speaker Australian TV royalty Kerri-Anne Kennerley as well as a surprise arrival and performance from country music legend Keith Urban which wowed guests.