Photo Credit: Professional Cricketers’ Association
- Bob Willis Fund partnered with the PCA at its Past Player Day to raise awareness of prostate cancer amongst men
- One in eight men of above the age of 50 get affected by prostate cancer. The numbers raise to one in four amongst black men
- #BlueForBob Day to be celebrated during England vs West Indies Test match.
- Geoff Miller: “I had got some problems and they found out exactly what the problem was and we could do something about it, which they did, and did it magnificently”
The PCA recently hosted its Annual Past Player Day at Visit Worcestershire New Road, in partnership with the Bob Willis Fund to raise awareness of prostate cancer amongst men.
Following from the success of its inaugural Wellness Day last year, the PCA continued to push and prioritise health initiatives amongst its former players. Building from last year, 30 former players provided their blood samples and had their prostate checked during the event of which all 30 came back with a negative report.
Prostate cancer affects one in every eight men, mostly above the age of 50. Meanwhile, the chances of it affecting black men raise to one in every four. The Bob Willis Fund, however, are raising awareness that an early diagnosis could be lifesaving for all men.
It is also making its presence felt during the ongoing England vs West Indies Test series.
Day two during the third Test match between the two sides will see the Edgbaston Cricket Ground don a blue shade to celebrate the #BlueForBob Day. The occasion commemorates the legendary Bob Willis.
Willis represented England from 1971 to 1984 and went on to represent his nation in 90 Test matches. He took 325 wickets in Test cricket, the fourth highest in terms of Test wickets taken by an Englishman.
An integral part of the sport, both as a player and as a broadcaster, he passed away in 2019 after battling prostate cancer for three years. The Bob Willis Fund was therefore established in 2021.
The charitable organisation has raised more than £1.2 million with the support of various cricketing organisations across the country. The funds are used towards research in an aim to diagnose prostate cancer early and with more accuracy.
The 2024 Past Player Day was once again a success and for the first time took place at Worcestershire as the hosts took on Surrey in the Vitality County Championship Division One fixture. The event was hosted by former England international Mark Butcher and had close to 100 former players in attendance.
PCA Managing Director of Member Services, Ian Thomas, said: “The PCA over the last few years has been looking at health initiatives for former players and this year it seemed quite fitting that we partner with the Bob Willis Fund to do the prostate check.
“Days like today are great for the PCA and the Cricketers’ Trust. When we can have a day together to watch some cricket, reminisce and find out if there are any other issues going on amongst our former players. It gives us an opportunity to do some health screening. This is the second year we have done health screening, and we will look to continue it.”
Former England cricketer, Geoff Miller, said: “I have been asked his question regularly, how did you handle it when you were first told that you have prostate cancer. I said that I was relieved because I had got some problems and they found out exactly what the problem was and we could do something about it, which they did, and did it magnificently.
“Something like this where you are seeing the old players again which you haven’t seen in a long time, it’s something very special so I hope this continues for a long, long time.”
To make a donation towards the Bob Willis Fund, log in to www.bobwillisfund.org. You can also find them on X and Instagram: @bobwillisfund.
Name of Author: Professional Cricketers Association
The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), founded in 1967 by former England fast bowler Fred Rumsey as the Cricketers’ Association, represents past and present first-class cricketers in England and Wales. In the 1970s, the PCA established a standard employment contract and minimum wage for professional cricketers. It also helped create a pension scheme in 1995 and launched the magazine All Out Cricket and the ACE UK Educational Programme in 2002.
