Thursday 5 December 2019

Aussies who dare take on the world’s top obstacle race course can now rise to the challenge of supporting those facing one of the toughest battles of all, with the Leukaemia Foundation combining forces with Spartan Race to tackle blood cancer.

For the first time ever, Spartans taking to the starting line of Spartan Race events Australia wide have a chance to join the Leukaemia Foundation’s Team Beat Blood Cancer and channel their sweat and tears into fundraising to help see zero lives lost to the complex set of diseases by 2035.

A report recently released by the Leukaemia Foundation found that by 2035, 275,000 Australians will be living with blood cancer – more than double the number of people battling these diseases today. It also shows that up to 186,000 people may die as a result of blood cancer over the next 16 years.

The Leukaemia Foundation said funds raised by generous Australians who dedicate their Spartan Race to people facing a blood cancer diagnosis would help meet the growing demand on vital patient services and support the Leukaemia Foundation to continue to fund ground-breaking blood cancer research.

“Funds raised by Spartans competing for Team Beat Blood Cancer are critical to help the Leukaemia Foundation continue to support Australian families affected by blood cancer through advocating for equal access to new therapies and treatments as well as providing educational, emotional and practical support such as transport and accommodation,” a Leukaemia Foundation spokesperson said.

“This is a chance for Australians to truly answer the call to greatness, not only for themselves, but in support of the 41 children, adults, parents and grandparents diagnosed with blood cancer every day.”

Harnessing the fastest growing participant sport in the world, Spartan Australia is innovating obstacle racing on a global scale, running more than 130 races around the world annually, including three core Spartan Races each escalating in distance, obstacle count and challenge level.

Spartan Australia Managing Director Chris Heverin said: “Spartans pride themselves on resilience staring down a course riddled with challenges including barbed wire, walls, rope and heights. But overcoming a blood cancer diagnosis was another challenge entirely and one that no Australian should have to face. And now every Spartan has the chance to personally change lives and make a difference themselves by signing up to race for the Leukaemia Foundation and joining the fight against blood cancer.

“We also encourage all Leukaemia Foundation supporters, looking for a way to shake up their fitness routine or chasing an adrenaline rush you won’t soon forget, to challenge themselves by signing up for a Spartan Race and raise funds to help change lives.

“Whether you’re a fitness fanatic, a reluctant gym goer or haven’t broken a sweat in years, there’s a race type for you, and that means there’s an opportunity to play your part in supporting Australians battling these diseases,” Mr Heverin said.

There are six chances to race for Team Beat Blood Cancer at Spartan Australia events:

• 7 December 2019 – Melbourne City, VIC
• 7 March 2020 – Oberon, NSW
• 28 March 2020 – Melbourne, VIC
• 7 April 2020 – Latrobe Valley, VIC
• 9 May 2020 – Port Stephens, NSW
• 6 June 2020 – Sunshine Coast, QLD

To register for Team Beat Blood Cancer to race for the Leukaemia Foundation or for more information, visit https://spartan.www.leukaemia.org.au/.

To find out more about Spartan Australia, visit www.spartanrace.com.au