Western United to Kick It For Brain Cancer

Western United and Cure Brain Cancer Foundation will unite in support the Kick It For Brain Cancer campaign.

The initiative aims to raise $1 million to help beat brain cancer, which kills more Australian kids than any other disease, and more adults under 40 than any other form of cancer.

Kick It For Brain Cancer – find out more

Western United’s Round 25 Hyundai A-League fixture against Western Sydney Wanderers will raise funds and awareness, with volunteers from the local brain cancer community collecting donations and selling merchandise at Ballarat’s Mars Stadium.

Mark Rudan’s side will also sport one-off Kick It For Brain Cancer jerseys provided by apparel partner Kappa.

Rudan, alongside sister Mariana, was the inspiration behind the Kick It For Brain Cancer program.

Their mother, Ana, was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2018.

Rudan was shocked to discover how underfunded brain cancer research is and the lack of options available for his mother – despite major advances in other diseases.

“Until my mother was diagnosed with Brain Cancer, you had no idea about the alarming statistics particularly around the number of young adults and children who were affected by this awful disease,” Rudan said.

“More kids die of brain cancer than any other disease in Australia and more kids play Football than any other code. That is why football needs to play a role in helping spread the word.

“Together we can make a difference.”

Dustin Perry, Head of Partnerships at Cure Brain Cancer Foundation said: “For so long, brain cancer has been ignored at every level. To know that we now have the support of national sporting codes and clubs like Western United is hugely encouraging for my family and for the brain cancer community.

“And I’d like to thank Mark, [Western United CEO] Chris Pehlivanis and everyone associated with Western United for their passion and commitment to this project.

Cure Brain Cancer is the leading organisation for brain cancer research, advocacy and awareness in Australia.

Their initiative is to increased five-year survival from the current 20% to 50% by 2023.

To learn more about Kick It For Brain Cancer including how you can get involved at a grassroots level visit www.curebraincancer.org.au/kickitforbraincancer.