OHL Windsor Spitfires

Windsor Spitfires & Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program Partner In The Fight Against Colon Cancer

Published on March 3, 2010 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Windsor Spitfires News Release


The Windsor Spitfires are focusing on 'getting checked' this month and it's not the typical 'checking' that comes to mind when thinking hockey.

The organization announced today it is partnering with the Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program (ESCRCP) during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month to help spread important messages about cancer prevention and screening.

"It's been a goal of the organization to demonstrate leadership both on and off the ice," said Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel. "We are proud to announce for the entire month of March, our players will be wearing the ColonCancerCheck word mark on our home-game jerseys."

90% of colorectal cancer can be cured if detected early enough, yet it remains the 2nd deadliest form of cancer. ColonCancerCheck is a province-wide screening program that encourages people aged 50 and over to get regularly screened.

"This is a devastating, yet largely preventable disease," said Dr. John Day, Primary Care Lead (ESCRCP), "it's an unbelievable opportunity to have the Spitfires behind our bench - helping us spread this message and helping us build a healthier community."

Shoppers Drug Mart has also stepped up to help in this effort by agreeing to man information booths at the March 4th, 7th, and 11th home games. Local Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacists will be providing Fecal Occult Blood Tests (FOBT) free-of-charge to those who qualify. The FOBT is a home screening kit that can detect trace amounts of blood in the stool.

"People without a family doctor can get the FOBT kit from a pharmacy, and if you have a family doctor, talk to them about your screening options," explained Dr. Day.

Living a healthy lifestyle can also help reduce the incidence of cancer.

"While this disease is typically detected later in life, we need young people, like these players, to understand that the lifestyle choices they make today pave the path of their future health conditions," explained Beth Dulmage, Manager of Cancer Prevention and Screening (ESCRCP). "In addition to cancer screening, a healthy diet, limiting alcohol, regular exercise and not smoking can prevent up to 50% of all cancers."

The Spitfires are embracing the challenge of sharing these messages with their peers and the community.

"Cancer is something that affects everyone. We have played with guys who have lost a loved one to cancer, and we want to do our part to help fight back against this disease," said Windsor Spitfires Team Captain Harry Young.

Special game day activities will help compliment this initiative, along with jumbo-tron advertisements that feature Rychel encouraging fans to "get checked." In addition the Spitfires will be holding a silent auction for a ColonCancerCheck jersey and donating the funds to local cancer organizations.

"The community has really been supportive of us, and we want to do what we can to give back to the community," said Windsor Spitfires President and Head Coach Bob Boughner. "Health and wellness are very important to our organization. From what we've learned screening rates for colorectal cancer are extremely low in our community and we want to see that change."

Currently only 23% of eligible people in Erie St. Clair have reported taking an FOBT.

Check out the Windsor Spitfires Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 3, 2010


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