Baildon v Cancer: A Must Win Fixture
We often talk about a “must win” fixture. Perhaps a game that will secure promotion, allow bragging rights over a close local rival, or a game that will secure the points needed to avoid relegation. We’ve seen and participated in many of these at Baildon. On Saturday 16th October, Baildon Rugby Club takes on cancer. I can’t think of a bigger “must win” fixture.
Braver and Stronger Than You Think
When it comes to cancer I don’t usually hold with “fighting” metaphors. I’m not alone in having close friends and family members who’ve died of cancer and none of our friends died because they lacked “fight” or didn’t put up enough resistance. Indeed, in my experience, people with cancer are invariably braver and stronger than they think they can possibly be. In my mind at least, my friends and family did not “lose” to cancer.
Blood, Sweat and Tears: It's Personal
With one in two of us likely to be diagnosed with cancer at some point in our life times, there will not be a club member who has not be touched by this disease in some way. Our sport creates strong family bonds, bonds forged on the pitch here at Jenny Lane. Bonds that span and connect generations. Bonds forged in blood, sweat and tears. So when one of our club or one of their family gets cancer, it’s personal.
Bonds Forged in Sport Will Endure
Several members and relative of members of our club are currently undergoing treatments for cancer. Our club has decided to hold an event to show support for these members and their families. Going through illness can be an isolating experience. Our club wants to show people with cancer that they are not alone, that we’ve got their backs, that the bonds of teamwork forged in sport will endure.
Fundraising Event
The event running from 1pm to 9pm on Saturday 16th October will also promote awareness of cancer so that members are better able to recognise this disease at an easier stage. There will be fundraising, with all profit from the day distributed to five leading cancer charities.
- Macmillan Cancer Support
- Prostate Cancer UK
- Breast Cancer Now
- Anthony Nolan
- Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity
It would be great if every member and supporter of Baildon Rugby Club could attend this event, bring family, bring friends.
If you are unable to attend please consider a donation through the JustGiving page for this event
Rugby, Entertainment and Food
Our friends in rugby at Keighley have kindly agreed to swap their fixture, so we will have a Second XV merit table match against Keighley 3rd XV. Baildon First XV will take on Thornesians in the first leg of the Brian Hawkins Memorial Trophy. It will be the only double header of the season, what an afternoon of rugby!
There will be music, food, entertainment suitable for age grade members through to senior supporters.
Let’s do this. Let’s take on cancer. Baildon v Cancer, a must win fixture.
