Welcome to the DT38 February 2020 newsletter, Channel 38.
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.
5th Anniversary of DT38
On February 28th February we marked the 5th anniversary of DT38.
Since those first moments in 2015 when Tracy Tombides and her family and friends attended the grand launch of DT38 at West Ham United we have grown way beyond expectation.
Our charity was launched less than one year after the passing of Dylan Tombides who lost his battle with testicular cancer on April 18, 2014.
Since launch we have reached millions of people across the world with messages about the risks of testicular cancer and the importance of self-checking on a regular basis.
We often hear from men who detected the disease early because of information we have shared about testicular cancer.
This makes us extremely proud but motivates us even more to continue raising awareness.
The Tombides family understands the pain of losing a loved one as well as anyone and it is because of their selfless determination and the commitment of the DT38 team and our supporters that we are able to play our part in helping others avoid such heartache.
We want to say a huge thanks to everyone for your unwavering support and generous donations over the past five years. By continuing to work together in the UK, Australia and further afield we can continue to keep our men and boys safe.
Our mission for the next five years is straightforward. We want to continue to reach as many people as possible and to encourage men to check themselves down under on a monthly basis.
In support of this we are launching two new initiatives today and urge you to take a moment to read about them and share them on your social media.
Check 1-Two Campaign Launched
To mark the 5th anniversary of DT38, we have launched a new and exciting campaign to encourage men and boys to check their testicles regularly.
Spearheaded by a team of big names from the world of football, Check 1-Two is an important new regular event to educate males to be safe in the nether regions by carrying out a simple check on the first day of every month.
Whether you’re in the shower, in bed, at home on the sofa or anywhere else suitably private, it only takes a couple of minutes to examine your balls.
And keeping an eye (or hand to be totally accurate) on your nuts could save your life, so it really is minimal effort for maximum peace of mind.
Of course, if you are checking yourself on the first of every month (as is the mantra of Check 1-Two) and you notice a pea sized lump, pain or discomfort that you cannot explain then you should book into your GP as soon as possible and insist on an ultrasound scan.
Tracy Tombides, co-founder of DT38, is the brains behind the campaign.
She said: “Check 1-Two couldn’t be easier. On the first of every month remember to give yourselves a quick check down under.
“Why not put a reminder in your phone?
“Of course, here at DT38 we’re going to be working hard to remind people because we know that self checking save lives – if you catch testicular cancer early you have a much better chance of survival or less complications.
“And girls, you have a part to play too. Remind your husbands, partners, sons, brothers, dads and grandads and friends that they need to have a grab on the first of every month, just remember Check 1-Two”.
DT38 was founded in 2015 to raise awareness of testicular cancer in memory of West Ham and Australia footballer Dylan Tombides who passed away from the disease in April 2014.
Partnership with Checkemlads Testicular Cancer UK
DT38 has teamed up with fellow charity Checkemlads Testicular Cancer on the eve of our 5th anniversary to share a valuable range of resources about the disease to men and boys across the world.
Since 2015, DT38 has been educating people about testicular cancer, raising awareness of the disease, promoting self checking and organising free scan sessions in the UK and Australia.
Checkemlads Testicular Cancer and their new website Testicular Cancer Uk – was founded by testicular cancer survivor Phil Morris.
The charity is “an army of (testicular cancer) survivors willing to help with support in our support group.”
They have continued to grow over the years and now have members from the UK, USA, Australia, Ireland. Italy and Canada.
Checkemlads Testicular Cancer UK’s website has a host of important resources for all men – including those who has been diagnosed with testicular cancer – and includes real life stories, self checking advice, symptom, diagnosis and treatment information and a support for people affected by the disease.
Tracy Tombides, founder of DT38, said: “Linking up with Checkemlads Testicular Cancer seemed like the most natural partnership in the world to me.
“While DT38 continues to work extremely hard at upfront to raise awareness about the disease to so many people in the UK, Australia and further afield, Checkemlads Testicular Cancer support males and their families who are affected by the disease as well as offering lots of information designed to keep you safe.
“We are delighted to have teamed up with them as we mark our fifth anniversary.”
To find out more about Checkemlads Testicular Cancer visit their website here https://www.testicularcanceruk.com
Donovan Taking on 100k Challenge for DT38
Superman Donovan Jones is one brave and fit guy!
We were in awe when DT38 volunteer Donovan told us the news that he was planning to run, not one, not two, but three long distance races in just 77 days to raise awareness and funds for our charity!
He kicks off the epic triple challenge on March 7th with the Thames Meander Marathon then on April 19th he’ll be taking on the Brighton Marathon.
And just over one month later, on May 23rd he’ll take on the ultimate course, the London 2 Brighton 100k!
We think Donovan really needs (and deserves) some support to get him over the line so if you can, please sponsor him via this link ow.ly/XFcJ50yurqR
Thank you.
Sam Shows Support of DT38
We were thrilled and honoured to announce earlier this month that football superstar Sam Kerr is now an Ambassador of DT38.
The Chelsea star has showed her support for us for some time and we’re delighted to have now made it official.
The striker is one of the biggest stars in the world of women’s football and she is the leading all-time goal scorer in the National Women’s Soccer League (USA) and the W-League.
She is also the Captain of Australia and has bagged 38 goals in 83 caps for the Matildas.
DT38 Golf Day in Australia
Show off your swing and bag a birdie this May in the name of charity!
DT38 is to host its first fundraising golf day down under, to support our on-going mission to raise awareness of testicular cancer.
The event – supported by Perth Glory FC – will take place on May 21st, 2020.
Save the date and keep your eyes peeled because we’ll be announcing more very exciting details about the event shortly across our social media channels.
DT38 UK Golf Day – Update
We are delighted to confirm that regular tickets and all of our sponsorship packages have now been snapped up for our 2020 UK golf event on April 28th – however, you could still be in with a chance of playing with an iconic football star!
On the day West ham icons Sir Trevor Brooking, Tony Gale, Dean Ashton and DT38 Ambassador Tony Cottee will be picking up their clubs in support of our charity.
And we will soon be holding an online auction where you will have the opportunity to bid for a round of golf with any of these famous Hammers.
Each of these legends will play in a four ball meaning that three spaces are up for grabs with each of the five footie favourites.
The bidding will start at £500 per player (this includes your event ticket price) and we will be announcing the auction launch on social media very soon!
The golf event will take place at Langdon Hills Golf & Country Club on Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 and will include an evening Q & A with the players, two-course dinner prize auction and raffle.
All proceeds from the event will be donated to DT38 Foundation in support of our on going campaign to raise awareness of testicular cancer and save men’s lives.
Many Happy Returns
A splendid six big birthdays were celebrated among the DT38 gang in February.
First on the 4th, fabulous DT38 Board Director Claire Meredith marked her big day while three days later Talksport Radio presenter and DT38 Ambassador Ian “Moose” Abrahams turned one year older.
On Valentine’s Day footballer & fellow Ambassador Ben Kennedy was 23 and on the 16th A-League defender and Ambassador Jack Clisby turned 27.
Our co-founder Taylor Tombides celebrated his big day on February 21st and a week later former West Ham United coach and DT38 Ambassador Nick Haycock marked his birthday!
Many Happy Returns one and all!
Picture of the Month
We get sent stacks of brilliant pictures each month of people across the world showing their support for DT38 and just for fun (no prizes), we give ourselves the very difficult task of picking our “Picture of the Month”.
This month’s winner deserves an Academy Award! We’ve become quite used to people sending us snaps from some of the world’s most famous landmarks but we were completely star-struck when DT38 Ambassador Heather Miller shared this picture of her wearing her DT38 t-shirt and cap in the heart of Hollywood, go Heather!
What a picture!
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 March.
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