Central Coast Mariners Football Manager Lawrie McKinna has quite literally put his body on the line in support of breast cancer awareness, with the two-time Australian football coach of the year winner volunteering to wax his chest before Friday’s blockbuster Hyundai A-League clash between the Mariners and the Newcastle Jets at Bluetongue Stadium.
Central Coast Mariners Football Manager Lawrie McKinna has quite literally put his body on the line in support of breast cancer awareness, with the two-time Australian football coach of the year winner volunteering to wax his chest before Friday-s blockbuster Hyundai A-League clash between the Mariners and the Newcastle Jets at Bluetongue Stadium.
McKinna first suggested the chest-waxing initiative in support of breast cancer awareness to the Mariners- local radio partners, Central Coast Radio, for an initial donation of $500 in exchange for front-row seats to Friday-s Hyundai A-League match up.
However, by the end of last week and with assistance and promotion from Central Coast Radio, over $12,000 had been pledged to breast cancer awareness by the Central Coast community in support of McKinna-s brave and unique gesture.
McKinna-s chest hairs will now be systematically removed just hours before Friday-s keenly anticipated F3 derby between the Mariners and their northern rivals, where each member of the Mariners and Jets playing squads will also wear pink armbands throughout the match in a further show of support for a truly worthy cause.
“Since day one at the Mariners we-ve been active in engaging the community at large and assisting with charities where we can and Friday-s match seemed like the perfect opportunity to raise awareness for a very worthy cause,” said McKinna.
“We-d like to thank every individual or organisation that has contributed to this cause to date, the response has been simply overwhelming and it-s flattering to know that there are people out there that will donate money to see my chest!
“It is this type of goodwill and community spirit that has made the Mariners what they are today and I-m very proud to be part of such a charitable community that have well and truly contributed something special to what I-m certain will be a special event.”
An Australian woman-s lifetime risk for developing breast cancer is one in eight and over 13,000 Australian women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year – that-s 36 women every day.
The Monday following the Mariners- clash with the Jets is Pink Ribbon Day, the signature day of the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NCBF).
The Pink Ribbon campaign aims to celebrate the achievements of breast cancer research and raise additional funds.
The NBCF is the only national not-for-profit organisation funding research into the prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer.
To date, $44 million has funded 168 research programs, with the ultimate aim to find the causes of breast cancer, giving all the potential to prevent breast cancer.
“Each year, over 2,600 Australian women die from breast cancer, that means seven women lose their lives to breast cancer every day,” said Maree Roberts, the Deputy Director of Education on the Central Coast and a breast cancer survivor.
“We want to bring these facts to the attention of the community so as both individuals and collectively as a group, we can rally together in support of those women in our lives that have been touched by breast cancer and show our support.
“This is such a prevalent issue in today-s society and something that touches the lives of every one of us in some way whether it-s a mother, sister, wife, daughter, aunt or friend.”
For more information regarding Pink Ribbon Day and other breast cancer awareness initiatives, visit www.pinkribbon.org.au or www.bcna.org.au.
The Mariners- Hyundai A-League season continues at Bluetongue Stadium on Friday, 24 October when they host northern rivals the Newcastle Jets. Kick off is at 8pm.
As part of the breast cancer awareness initiative, pink ribbons will be on sale at Bluetongue Stadium upon entry to the ground, as well as pink glow armbands.
Tickets for this match are on sale from Ticketek outlets, from the Ticketek website – www.ticketek.com.au, or via phone on 132 849.
Organisations & Individuals to have pledged money in support of breast cancer awareness: Austral Bricks Tuggerah, Body Fuel Gosford, Budgewoi Soccer Club, Bluetongue Stadium, Central Coast Mariners, Central Coast Roller Shutters, Coffee Club Mingara, Benjamin Coonan, DCL Constructions, Football Federation Australia, Football NSW, Fortunity, Fruit For All, Hills Street Physiotherapy, Hyundai NSW, Mingara Recreation Club, Sure Optical, Turnbull Group Developments, Utilize Australia, Rob Whitfield, Wyong Shire Council
