Charity golf day raises $40,000 for prostate cancer research

A LOCAL charity golf day in Portarlington has raised tens of thousands of dollars for men’s health.

Organisers say 15th E.J. Whitten Charity Golf Day at Portarlington Golf Club on Friday last week was a major success, raising $40,500 for RULE Prostate Cancer.

RULE Prostate Cancer director Ted Whitten Jr said a full field of 28 golf groups with more than 100 people in attendance for the annual fundraiser provided a lively atmosphere for a worthy cause.

“The weather was perfect, the attendance was brilliant, and we had a really lovely golf course to provide a great backdrop to this year’s event.

“Following the luncheon and the fundraising aspect of the day, we were lucky enough to have four-time premiership player Isaac Smith speak on the day about his career.

“We also had the opportunity to spread the message about RULE Prostate Cancer and how it supports the Australian Prostate Cancer, our world class facility.”

MC Tom King and auctioneer James Gladman played key roles in the event, with 20 local donors contributing to the auction and raffle portion of the afternoon.

Mr Whitten said prostate cancer remained a serious threat to Australian men.

More than 24,000 men each year are diagnosed with the disease, and nine men die from it every day.

Since 2014, the Australian Prostate Centre has helped more than 35,000 men with prostate cancer.

“When we put the E.J. Whitten Foundation together in 1995 it was about raising awareness across the country about prostate cancer, given it wasn’t widely known at the time,” Mr Whitten said.

“To see such large support continuing today is very humbling and hopefully more and more men can get their annual check-ups into the future.”

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