The money raised through the GOAL 4 A GOAL initiative will go towards the Gene Therapy Program, a cutting-edge research program conducted by the Oncology Research Unit (ORU) at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. This funding provides many sick children with a fighting chance.
Five rounds into the AFL competition, the program has raised a projected total of $64,000.
“In 2006 there were something like 700 children in NSW, 16 or under, diagnosed with cancer, and we know that [this is] despite some improvements in care and cancer treatment particularly over the last ten years in NSW,” Mr Rees said.
“There’s nothing more tragic than a child dying from cancer, so it’s a worthwhile cause. The Swans have backed it with the GOAL 4 A GOAL campaign and it is important we back it as well.”
Rees said there is a huge need for people to get behind programs like GOAL 4 A GOAL because every dollar goes a long way in finding a cure for cancer-related diseases.
“It is critical because it brings things out of the shadows. Most families are touched by cancer either directly or indirectly, and child cancer is particularly tragic, it can take away 50 years of someone’s life.”
“It is important we get behind it and support the Swans in doing so.
“You would like to put billions of dollars in charities but you can’t. This is a worthy cause and the fact the Swans are behind it is a good thing and the community support for it has been terrific.”
