Welcome to this festive edition of the DT38 Newsletter, Channel38.
This is where we bring together all the very latest developments, events and support stories at DT38.
It’s also a chance for us to share important information about the work we do to raise awareness of testicular cancer around schools and in communities as well as publicly offering our thanks to the many people who support us in our endeavours.
2021 – A Message of Hope & Gratitude as we all Strive to Return to Normality
It is difficult to find the words to describe to absolute pleasure of welcoming of guests into our events this year.
As we were once again able to host in-person fundraisers this year, it made me think of two things, in particular.
The joy that we can share when we’re able to spend time with one another in the same room and the wonderful support DT38 received during ‘Lockdown’ in 2020 when we were all so unsure about the future.
But together we made it through and this year marked our sixth as a charity.
The fact that people supported our online appeals at the apparent height of the Pandemic in 2020, meant that we were able to continue reaching out to men and boys in Australia, UK and further afield to educate them about the risks of testicular cancer and the importance of self checking.
We continue to receive messages from guys all over the world who are keen to share their own personal experiences of testicular cancer and how hearing about Dylan and our educational messages had prompted them to take action early enough to keep them safe.
At the heart of this is our Check 1-Two Campaign which continued to reach more people than ever this year.
On the first of every month we shared a short film from some famous faces urging you to start checking those balls.
Huge thanks to Stan Lazaridis, Stuart Slater, Martin Allen, Tony Gale, John Moncur, Matt Jarvis, Johnny “Gigi” Giordano, Pasquale Maresca, Rhys Ryan, Joe Sealey, Nicole Sealey, Gary Carson and James Collins for supporting the initiative this year.
We know, very well, the difference these films is making in reminding males to check themselves on a regular basis and importantly we were able to do this even when mixing with other people was out-of-bounds.
Although still living under strict Covid-19 restrictions, which meant no wonderful Hammers fans could be there, we were delighted that the seventh DT38 Awareness Day could go ahead at West Ham United FC v Chelsea FC, a televised match at London Stadium on April 24th.
This was supported by a fabulous moment when our Co-Founders Tracy and Taylor Tombides interviewed Hammers striker Michail Antonio online about DT38 and the player’s own experiences of cancer.
There was also an auction of DT38 shirts signed by the West Ham first team and the launch of a raffle offering a chance for one fan to interview Hammers skipper Mark Noble.
Also in April, we were thrilled to benefit from the DT38 Awareness Round at Perth Glory FC v Wellington Phoenix FC in the A League, which was capped off with a moving applause in memory of Dylan Tombides on the 38th minute.
This match took place on April 18th, the seventh anniversary of the passing of Dylan.
This year also saw the return of major running events in the UK and we were thrilled to be represented across many of these.
Back on after a postponement in 2020, Donovan Jones completed the London 2 Brighton 100km Ultra Challenge on 29th May and raised £735.
Taylor Tombides, Joe Sealey Tom King, Jerry Clynes and Paulie Houston ran the London 10k in July and gathered around £5,500 for DT38 and in October West Ham United Head Physio Dominic Rogan raised around £34,000 and Paul Warren £662 through running the London Marathon.
We’re also very grateful to Emma Green who regularly runs for our charity.
I am SO grateful for the dedication and commitment that each of these people gave to help our charity continue its work.
As you know, things began to open up even more in the UK as the year went on, but sadly the grip of Covid-19 tightened once again in Australia although we did find a window for some very important work.
Our first DT38 UK Charity Golf Day – in partnership with Ian Morgan of E13 Events – took place at Langdon Hills Golf Club in July and was a sell out success!
Big thanks to Sir Trevor Brooking, Martin Allen, Tony Gale, Stuart Slater, Brian Dear, John Moncur and Jimmy Walker for taking part on the day.
I would like to offer my gratitude once again to Terry Moncur and the team at Langdon Hills Golf Club.
It was fabulous fun and through ticket sales, an auction and raffle we raised a vital £12,225 to support our work raising awareness of testicular cancer to help save men and boys’ lives.
I’m also very excited that we announced the date for our first DT38 Australia Golf Day on March 11th 2022.
Bookings are now being taken and there’s even a chance to win a Isuzu vehicle worth up to $60,000!
Also down under, we were so pleased to hold our latest FREE testicular cancer ultrasound scan day on October 18th – in partnership with Ultrasound Services Applecross – when we welcomed 80 men and boys and offered each one peace of mind.
Back in the UK and after a one year hiatus, we assembled on November 14th at York Hall, London, for Awareness Below the Belt 3.0, the third DT38 White Collar Boxing Day with Peacock Gym.
What a day it was! Thanks to the generous sponsors and supporters of the event we were thrilled to £12,382.26 which will all be used to help us continue our work.
We’re so grateful to all who took part and to Carlton Cole, Mark Little, Colin McMillan and serviceman Adam Somers who also supported the event.
As ever we have a close eye on the news channels and we are all extremely concerned about the spread of the Omicron variant but we pray that people continue to receive their vaccines and stay safe.
Once again, I’d like to pay tribute to all health service workers who have continued to work all hours to help those of us that need it!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your commitment and dedication.
All being well, we have already set an exciting programme of events for 2022 and more will be added over time.
- February – Annual Poker Tournament at Crown London Aspinalls, Mayfair
- March – DT38 Australia Golf Day
- April – DT38 Cup at Romford Golf Club
- April – DT38 Awareness Day 2022 at London Stadium
- September – DT38 UK Golf Day at Langdon Hills Golf Club
- November – DT38 “Awareness Below the Belt” White Collar Boxing at York Hall, Bethnal Green
The past 12 months have continued to be very challenging for us all, but we have worked extremely hard to adapt to a new way of working and because of the dedication of so many people who want to help other people’s lives, we are here and we are continuing to make a big difference.
My son Dylan faced so many difficult challenges in his time and I am so very proud that we continue to cherish his memory and help to save other men and boys’ lives.
I pray that we will be able to continue to do this in 2022 both in the UK and Australia.
But more than anything, I hope that you and your loved ones stay safe in these difficult times.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Many Happy Returns
We have a fabulous four festive birthdays in December for Ambassadors of DT38.
One time West Ham United scout Mike Leigh enjoyed his big day on December 1stand four days later TV and radio presenter Adrian Barich was 58.
On December 12th former Premier League footballer and Socceroo Craig Moore turned 46, while on the 16th Dylan Tombides’ buddy Elliot Lee, now a Charlton Athletic forward, turned 27.
Many Happy Returns guys!
Picture of the Month
So many wonderful pictures and films are made for DT38 and we’re so very proud of this.
Earlier this month Real Housewives of Cheshire stars and DT38 Trustees Nicole and Joe Sealey appeared in a film with our Co-Founder Tracy Tombides on ITVBe to demonstrate how to check testicles for abnormalities, using a rubber model.
What an amazing opportunity for us to educate men and women about how to self check and the importance of it!
Sharing the Love
We are so grateful to more than 35,000 people who follow and support us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Every month we receive so many shares, Retweets, likes and tags and we’re so grateful for each and every one of them, thank you.
And that brings to end this edition but we’ll be back with the next edition of Channel38 in January.
If you have helped DT38 in some way in recent times, please be sure to let us know so we can include it in one of our future newsletters. Contact tracylee@dt38.org or connect with us on Twitter Facebook or Instagram
What a year 2021 have been. Once again a huge thank you to everyone who supported DT38 and helped us make a difference to people’s lives in the UK, Australia and many other parts of the world.
Looking forward to 2022, we will be marking the 7th anniversary of DT38 on February 2nd and have great plans across the year which we hope will allow us to share information about testicular cancer to more men and families than ever before.
But for now, I would like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
With love,
Tracy Tombides x