Leeds Rhinos and Leeds Rhinos Foundation are delighted to announce they will continue their partnership with Yorkshire Cancer Research which will see the organisations working together to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and help those already diagnosed live better.
Over the past 12 months Yorkshire Cancer Research and Leeds Rhinos Foundation have worked together to offer a cancer rehabilitation programme called Active Beyond Cancer, and the new partnership will see the charities continue to provide this free course for cancer patients at venues across Leeds.
Alongside the Active Beyond Cancer programme, Yorkshire Cancer Research will be working closely with Super League Champions Leeds Rhinos to help get important health messages out to their fans. The charity will have a presence at Rhinos home games to offer health checks and advice on the importance of the prevention and early diagnosis of cancer.
The Leeds Rhinos Women's Team will also be working with Yorkshire Cancer Research to highlight its community health advice and research projects throughout the region. The charity's logo has been included on the team's first kit for the 2018 Women's Super League season.
During cancer awareness months, signs and symptoms will be featured in match day programmes and in advertisements around the stadium as part of the partnership's 'Rhino to Cancer' campaign. The campaign will start by highlighting ovarian and prostate cancer during March.
Rob Oates, Commercial Director at Leeds Rhinos said: "Yorkshire Cancer Research is a valued partner and we are pleased that we will continue to work with them in 2018 to provide guidance, advice and services to our fans. Most of us have been affected by cancer at some stage in our lives and so we know how important it is to educate people on symptoms and early diagnosis and we are proud to be working alongside Yorkshire Cancer Research.”
Rhinos player Richie Myler will become an Ambassador for the Active Beyond Cancer programme, which will start in May. The scrum half was at Emerald Headingley to launch the new partnership alongside Rhinos Chief Executive Gary Hetherington and Dr Kathryn Scott, Chief Executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research.
Dr Scott said: "Through the Active Beyond Cancer programme, our partnership with Leeds Rhinos Foundation has already had a positive impact on cancer patients living in the area, helping them recover and live well by offering free health and fitness coaching and advice to increase levels of physical activity and improve confidence.
"We're now looking forward to boosting our engagement with the whole Rhinos community through a heightened presence at matches and by running awareness campaigns for specific cancer types. Sport can be a fantastic way of bringing vital public health messages to hard-to-reach communities, and this partnership will support our aim to help people reduce their risk of cancer and ensure that those who do have cancer are diagnosed at the earliest possible stage.”
For more information about the partnership and details about the Active Beyond Cancer programme, including introductory 'Tea and Talk' events for those interested in taking part visit www.ycr.org.uk/leedsrhinos.