
Kicking off a second season of support for 'Get to know cancer'
Fri 22 August 2014, 16:22|
Tottenham Hotspur
This Sunday’s game against QPR will see the return of the ‘Get to know cancer’ market stall at White Hart Lane, as the Club kicks off a second season of support for the major NHS campaign.
Players and staff at the Club will actively be promoting awareness and early detection of cancer symptoms throughout the 2014-15 Barclays Premier League season as part of Tottenham Hotspur’s commitment to helping ‘Get to know cancer’ save up to 1,000 lives in London each year through early diagnosis.
With the backing of Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and following an overwhelming response from fans in the first season, the Club announced it would extend its partnership with ‘Get to know cancer’ into the 2014-15 campaign.
Using the Club’s high profile platform, the campaign has a clear message to fans – cancer is ‘not only treatable, but beatable’ if detected early.
Fans are urged to visit the ‘Get to know cancer’ market-stall which will be situated on Tottenham Square for one home game each month throughout the season. Here, they can speak to a dedicated team of nurses available to answer any health related questions or concerns. ‘Get to know cancer’ activists will once again be at the Lane come wind, rain or shine, providing potentially life-saving information to thousands of supporters.
Speaking about the importance of being involved in the ‘Get to know cancer’ campaign for a second season running, first team player Younes Kaboul said: “We had an overwhelming response from fans throughout the campaign last season. Cancer is an issue that is very close to our hearts. Using the Club’s high profile, we are supporting ‘Get to know cancer’ to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease and promote the importance of early diagnosis. The message we want fans to remember is that if detected early, cancer is treatable, even beatable. We’re delighted to be kicking-off another season of support for ‘Get to know cancer’.”
Dr Andy Mitchell, Medical Director of NHS England (London), said: "In the time it takes the average commuter to get home this evening, three Londoners will hear the news that they have cancer. That’s 82 people every day – enough to fill a double decker bus. It’s no surprise that cancer is at the top of the list of health concerns for London’s residents, and its NHS services.
"That is why I am delighted that Tottenham Hotspur is continuing to work in partnership with us on our 'Get to know cancer' campaign, designed to encourage people to do the single most important thing to beat cancer – get help sooner. The Club has been instrumental in supporting the campaign in the 2013-14 season, helping raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease at home games, in pop-up clinics and online.
"We – and London's patients – are grateful to Spurs for their vital support and we're excited about the new season. We look forward to working together to send out a clear message that, with early detection, cancer is treatable, even beatable."
Get to know the ‘Get to know cancer’ nurses
Eddy and Sheila Williams, ‘Get to know cancer’’s husband and wife nursing couple, are delighted to be back at the Lane this season to help fans with their health questions and raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of cancer.
As part of the renewed campaign partnership between NHS England (London) and Tottenham Hotspur, they are once again manning the dedicated ‘Get to know cancer’ pop up stall outside the stadium on Tottenham Square this season. Building on the success of the campaign last year, they are working with volunteer cancer activists to raise awareness of the symptoms of cancer and promoting early diagnosis amongst fans. Their message is loud and clear – cancer can be treatable, and even beatable, with early detection.
Nurse Eddy Williams said: “The support from the fans and Club for the campaign has been overwhelming. It is a real honour to be back with the stall this season, and we couldn’t ask for a friendlier welcome from Spurs fans. We both know only too well the importance of early diagnosis and getting checked out as early as possible. My sister-in-law is currently undergoing cancer treatment and Sheila’s sister beat breast cancer when she was 33 and is still living life to the full aged 70.
“We have both been nursing for many years and having this unique opportunity to speak to football fans directly about any health concerns is amazing. We urge all fans to pop by the stall and chat to us about any health questions relating to them or their loved ones – no matter how big or small. Coming from a family of Spurs fans it is fantastic that a top Premier League Club like Spurs is helping us to spread the vital message that cancer is not only treatable, but can even be beatable – if detected early on.”