Creating awareness about cancer and getting people informed about cancer is an issue that Mr Tony Dias feels very strongly about.
Mr Dias (60), an Edenvale resident and football player for 55 years, was diagnosed with non-malignant tumour of the colon at the beginning of this year.
Mr Dias, who has been a football coach for 22 years and football player for most of his life, said he was shocked.
He has been playing football since he was five years old and still coaches U/9s and plays veterans soccer for the club.
While researching Mr Dias discovered that many people are not informed enough about cancer.
“Cancer affects everyone, not just the old,” he said.
Mr Dias said although he was diagnosed with a non-malignant tumour of the colon he strongly believes more awareness needs to be made about cancer in general.
“People need to be proactive when dealing with cancer,” said Mr Dias
“People must go and get checked, they must not be afraid and hold back, especially men,” said Mr Dias.
On October 1, the Edenvale Football Club will be hosting a Cancer Soccer Tournament at the Edenvale Sports Grounds to create awareness and raise funds for the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa).
“This will be the first event of its kind at the EFC,” said Mr Dias.
He said there should be 30 teams taking part in the tournament and the proceeds of the cancer soccer tournament will go to Cansa.
Mr Dias hopes the community will come to the event.
“It will be a family day,” said Mr Dias.
He said Cansa will be present at the event to to provide testing for skin-related cancer.
There will also be food and craft stalls at the tournament.
The tournament will begin at 8am and will cater for the six to ten age groups at the Edenvale Football Club on Seventeenth Avenue in Edenvale.
To book a craft/ food stall or enter a soccer in the tournament, which will cost R500 per team, contact Vanessa on 082 8222 820, Linda on 083 3351 004 or Tony on 083 528 3732 or email Vanessa at 0828222820@vodamail.co.za
Also read: Cancer survivors share their stories
