Welcome to the DT38 January newsletter for the UK and Australia, 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.
5th Anniversary of DT38
At the end of February we will be marking the fifth anniversary of DT38 as a charity in the UK and awareness campaign in Australia.
DT38 was launched on February 28, 2015, less than one year after the passing of Dylan Tombides who lost his battle with testicular cancer on April 18, 2014.
To mark the event we will be making a series of special and important announcements via our social media channel so please keep your eyes peeled!
A Family Affair
Great Grandmother Kathleen Spurin was born in 1889 and set sail for Australia in 1923 to start a new life.
One of the things Kathleen made sure we took with her Down Under was her love for West Ham United and she made jolly sure she raised her family to support the Irons.
Generations later a dream came true for Kathleen’s family when they made a once in a lifetime trip to London to take in their first West Ham match.
After DT38 heard they were planning to make the 18,000 mile round trip pilgrimage, of course we did our bit to sort the gang their tickets. Who wouldn’t?!
Around the game the family also took some time to pay their respects to Dylan by visiting his memorial stone at Champions Place.
We’re so pleased you enjoyed your visit guys, come again!
A Message of Hope
We work very hard at DT38 to raise awareness of testicular cancer to help saves men’s lives.
Nothing is more important to our charity and it means so much when people get in touch to tell us that Dylan’s inspiring story and the work that we do at DT38 has made a real difference to their own lives.
In April 2014, the news broke about the passing of Dylan Tombides at the age of just 20 after a long and courageous battle with testicular cancer.
It was only after hearing on TV about the loss of Dylan that Andrew from Perth, Western Australia, checked himself for the first time and things didn’t seem as they should be.
Andrew was 43 at the time and he had been ignoring a dull ache in his testicles for several months.
In a moving message to our Dylan’s mother, Tracy, the founder of DT38, Andrew wrote:- “I wanted you (and your family) to know that on the day I saw the story about Dylan passing on the news here in Perth, I noticed I also had a lump down there together with a pain that I had been ignoring.
“My doctor said it was most likely a cyst and not to worry about it. I insisted on getting a scan and it turned out to be testicular cancer. I’ve been all clear since my operation but I wanted you to know that Dylan’s message got through to me and made a difference. I recommend that everyone insist on a scan when they see their doctor. AK”
Like Andrew, Dylan was also denied an ultrasound scan during a GP appointment and DT38 urges men insist on a scan if they recognise any of the symptoms associated with testicular cancer.
We were so moved by Andrew’s note and are so very pleased that he is now healthy and enjoying life with his family.
As of November 2019, Andrew was declared cancer free.
DT38 Golf Day
Tee off and help us tackle testicular cancer this April at our 2020 UK golf event.
We’re delighted to be holding a fundraising golf day involving a galaxy of football stars who you could be playing alongside.
On the day West ham icons Sir Trevor Brooking, Tony Gale, Dean Ashton, Steve Lomas and DT38 Ambassador Tony Cottee will be picking up their clubs in support of our charity.
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.
These spaces will be auctioned online from Saturday, February 1st, 2020, and the bidding starts at £500 per player (this includes your event ticket price).
To find out more and place a bid click here
Regular tickets (without a round with a footballer) are priced at £400 for a team of four.
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.
To book tickets email ianmwhufc@aol.com or call 07958 472847.
Know a business that would like to get involved? We also have some fantastic Tee and Headline Day sponsorship packages available.
For more information on sponsorship packages contact Ian on 07958 472847.
Many Happy Returns
A super six big birthdays were celebrated among the DT38 crew in January.
On the 8th DT38 Ambassador former A-League and Socceroos star Simon Colosimo was 41 and on the 13th our Committee member Alex Christian celebrated his big day.
On the 12th Central Coast Mariner Giancarlo Gallifuoco turned 26 and two days later West Ham and England midfielder Declan Rice was 21-years-old, both are Ambassadors of DT38.
January 28th marked the 26th birthday of footballer Matthias Fanimo and the next day Crawley Town player Jack Powell was the same age – both are DT38 Ambassadors.
Many Happy Returns guys!
Picture of the Month
We get sent loads of fabulous photos each month of people across the world showing their support for DT38 and just for fun (no prizes), we like to select our “Picture of the Month”.
Call us biased but this month’s image features Dylan’s father and DT38 co-founder Jim Tombides and Board Member Claire Meredith looking super stylish in their DT38 tees at a recent Perth Glory match. Go guys!
What an awesome 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 February.
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