Welcome to the DT38 December 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.
2019 – A Wonderful Year, Made by Wonderful People
I reflect on the past 12 months with a huge sense of pride and satisfaction.
We – and by this word I mean every single person who has supported us in some way – have made a huge difference to peoples’ lives in both the UK and Australia, our core territories.
In the UK we continued to grow across the year and in Australia, DT38 became an official charity after years of very hard work and commitment from our team and supporters.
We have continued to educate young people in schools – with the help of West Ham United Foundation – we have attended more events than ever down under sharing information with people about the risks of testicular cancer and we have reached millions of people on social media with information about testicular cancer including how to self check.
Our events have been full, the overwhelming support has been awesome and, perhaps, the most indicative evidence of our success this year has come from messages we’ve receive from men who have been battling testicular cancer and been inspired by the legacy of Dylan Tombides and DT38.
On a personal level, one of the proudest moments for me in 2019 was being joined by my family and close friends for the opening of the Dylan Tombides Learning Centre at West Ham United’s Academy of Football on 8th March, Dylan’s birthday.
This area of the Hammers newly refurbished training ground is a valuable place for West Ham’s young footballers to further their education and learn about the risks of testicular cancer in the process, It is also another breathtaking tribute to my wonderful son.
Another was definitely the launch of the Dylan Tombides Medal in Australia by the FFA and PFA to recognise the best player from across the Joeys (U17s), Young Socceroos (U20s) and Olyroos (U23s) each year.
We had the pleasure this year of presenting the Dylan Tombides Award at the West Ham United Player Awards to Aji Alese, the Dylan Tombides Young Player of the Year Award to Chok Dau of Inglewood United at the WA Football Awards and ‘DT38 Foxtel Youth League Most Glorious Player of the Year’ to midfielder Henry Hore.
Congratulations to all of these talented young men.
April 18th 2019 marked the fifth anniversary of Dylan’s passing and myself and my family and friends were overwhelmed with the messages of support from so many DT38 supporters, once again, thank you.
Of course, none of our testicular cancer awareness achievements this year would have been possible without the phenomenal fundraising efforts of so many people.
Here are just some of the amazing fundraising and awareness events we’ve been part of or benefited from in 2019:
Australian Table Football Association Grand Prix 2019 in January & Shootout Awareness event in April.
Two Free Testicular Cancer Screenings in Perth, WA, with Ultrasound Services in February & August.
Perth Glory FC’s DT38 Awareness Day at NIB Stadium in February.
West Ham United FC’s DT38 Awareness Day at London Stadium in April.
Virgin London Marathon in April – huge thanks to DT38 runners Jack Sullivan & Emma Green.
Barbargallo Perth Men’s Health Series Event with Perth Integrated Health in March.
BUPA Global Charity Match in April – kindly organised by Sam Wooler
IBIS Junior Football Club, in Lancashire, UK, tournament to raise funds for DT38 in May.
DT38 Awareness Rounds at Stirling Lions FC v Perth Soccer Club in February & June.
We announced our new partnership with the International Walking Football Federation for their inaugural World Cup in June in London.
Man Utd v Leeds Utd – a DT38 awareness programme for this pre-season fixture at Optus Stadium in July.
A packed house for the Northern Falcons FC DT38 Awareness Night in July.
Asics London 10k race in July – huge thanks to the brilliant DT38 team who took part.
DT38’s Dry July Campaign – Our team & supporters were sponsored for skipping the booze for 31 days!
Sydney Hammers Superb Shirt Silent Auction in August.
DT38’s Craig Hartwell bravely completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in September to raise funds.
We raised awareness at the World Cup of Mini Football, which took place in Perth, WA, in October.
Crown Aspinalls London Charity Poker Tournament for DT38 was a huge success in October.
Awareness Below the Belt 2.0, a day of White Collar Boxing with Peacock Gym at London’s York Hall.
Gro A Mo For A Bro – ‘Tache time for men who wanted to support DT38 during Movember.
We were also delighted to announce Daniel Garb as a Patron of DT38 alongside Mile Jedinak and welcome an incredible group of new DT38 Ambassadors to the team.
Archie Thompson, former Socceroo & Melbourne Victory star
Simon Colosimo, former Socceroo & A-League star
Rhys Ryan, testicular cancer survivor & aspiring football journalist
Pascale Maresca, great supporter of DT38 from Crown Aspinalls London
Josh Wilkins, Heidelberg United FC player
David Davutovic, Chief Football Writer, Herald Sun
Scott Jamieson, Melbourne City player
Tony Cottee, West Ham United, Everton & Leicester City legend
Bianca Westwood, Sky Sports TV presenter
Mark Ward, former West Ham United player
Many Happy Returns
We have a collection of festive birthdays in December for Ambassadors of DT38.
Former West Ham United scout Mike Leigh celebrated his big day on December 1stand on the 5th Channel 7 sports presenter Adrian Barich was 56.
On December 12th ex-Premier League player and Socceroo Craig Moore turned 44, while on the 16th great friend of Dylan and Luton Town FC forward Elliot Lee was 25 years old.
Many Happy Returns guys!
Picture of the Month
So, if you didn’t know, we’re lucky enough to receive so many wonderful pictures of people across the world each month showing their support for DT38 and we then pick our “Picture of the Month”, just for fun.
This fabulous festive month we decided the give the accolade to Youth DT38 Ambassador George Audin. George has been fundraising for DT38 for some time now and this month he kicked off his 2019/2020 fundraising at school selling sweets and toys alongside a pal and his brother Henry. He’s raised around £125 so far, awesome!
Merry Christmas George, Henry and everyone at your school!

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 2019 has been. Once again a huge thank you to everyone who supported DT38 and helped us make a difference to peoples’ lives in the UK, Australia and many other parts of the world.
Looking forward to 2020, we will be marking the 5th anniversary of DT38 in February 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