‘I have been unfortunate enough to losing both one of my best friend and his wife to cancer’
Yeovil Town Football Club have announced an initiative for Cancer Awareness Month and for their game with Braintree Town on Saturday 28th October, they will be turning Huish Park pink and sporting a special, one-off kit.
The fixture will be dedicated to Yeovil Hospital Charity, who are currently fundraising for a new Breast Cancer Unit, and the football club’s captain, Josh Staunton, has told Somerset’s Alive! about his pride that he will be involved in such an initiative.
The defender has felt personal loss from cancer, with close friends being cruelly taken by the disease, and this has meant that the awareness day will be all the more important for him.
Josh said: “The charity cancer day at Yeovil is a fantastic day to be a part of, the chance to make a difference to someone’s life is something you should never pass up.
“Cancer affects so many of us, I think one in two now are affected by the illness and that in turn affects every member of their families.”
Josh opened up about the tragic experience he has had of cancer, which took friends from him and hit hard with his family members.
The Yeovil Town captain said: “I have been unfortunate enough to losing both one of my best friends, Luke, and his wife Alice to cancer, whilst also being fortunate enough to say I have seen both my mother-in-law, Sharon, and my granddad survive through successful treatment, so I have seen the highs and lows first hand.”
Josh cited initiatives in other sports as game changers in cancer awareness and is hopeful that the efforts Yeovil Town make will also make a difference.
He continued: “We have seen other sports come together to support a greater cause on days such as the ‘Red for Ruth’ and ‘Jane McGrath Day’ in cricket where a combined effort to promote a day of vibrancy in support of those battling cancer and those who will battle in the future.
“I am sure plenty of the players in such events will look back on those days in careers and feel so proud to be a part of it.”
Josh admits it is something that he is pleased to be involved with and thinks it will be a special day.
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He told Somerset’s Alive!: “It is definitely a day I am looking forward to, and if we manage to make a difference to even one person, which will have a knock on effect of all those attached to that person, I will see it as a success.
“I am proud of the club for coming up with this initiative, I hope we can promote the use sport to make a positive difference in life and I know I speak on behalf of anyone who has been affected by this horrible illness, thank you for giving us the opportunity to make a difference to many lives out there, we never know when we may need the help in our own lives.”
Josh had one final message for Yeovil fans ahead of the special day and asked them to stand up with the club in help fighting the cruel disease.
He said: “For those that have lost loved ones to cancer, use this day to honour and remember them, let’s smile at their memories, we will stand in solitude at Huish Park, together we have the ability to make a difference.”
Yeovil Town Commercial Director, Mark Robinson said about the initiative to the club’s website: “Everyone at Yeovil Town Football Club are striving to bring the community of Yeovil together and support our friends at the Yeovil Hospital Charity by dedicating this unique day to anyone who has been affected by cancer, directly or indirectly, anyone who has lost a friend or a loved one to this terrible disease.”
Mark continued: “We want to stand together as a community to show people they are not alone and give hope to anyone fighting their own battle. We want you to know you have the support of the town and the club behind you as we strive to help the hospital in achieving its aim of providing the best care it can to make a difference to everyone who needs it or may need it in the future.”
“Pink is not just the colour of a ribbon, It’s the promise of hope, let’s make Huish Park pink for a day to give hope and support to so many people effected by cancer.”
Somerset’s Alive! 
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