Sven Calls On All Players: "Keep Your Eye On The Ball!"

England Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will today (04/03/02) be calling on football clubs from up and down the country to come forward and join the fight against testicular cancer. Sven took time out of his busy training schedule to offer his support to 'Keep Your Eye on the Ball', The Football Association and The Professional Footballers' Associations national campaign aimed at raising awareness of testicular cancer amongst players and fans.

Publicity for the campaign will be focused on a two-week period, beginning today, and is backed by popular radio station, Talksport; 1089/1053am. The station will be holding a series of interviews and soundbites with top Premiership players such as Ryan Giggs, Jamie Rednapp, Rio Ferdinand and many more.

The F.A. and P.FA. set up the 'Keep your Eye on the Ball' campaign with The Institute of Cancer Research's everyman campaign and Cancer Research UK's Dad's and Lad's campaign to ensure that all footballers and their supporters are aware of the symptoms of testicular cancer. This campaign was in direct response to the discovery that players Neil Harris, Alan Stubbs, Craig Forrest and Jason Cundy all had testicular cancer.

F.A. Chairman Geoff Thompson said: "As the governing body for football in England, The F.A. recognises its responsibility to take the lead on matters of health awareness. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young men between 18 and 35, roughly the time span of an average football career, so players need to be self aware, vigilant and responsible. But they are not the only ones, and our campaign is aimed at everyone within the football community, at all levels of the game."

Gordon Taylor from the P.F.A echoed his sentiments: "Sport and health are naturally connected which is why the P.F.A. is supporting the 'Keep Your Eye on the Ball' campaign. Football is obviously a high priority for many men and our goal with 'Keep Your Eye on the Ball' is to use football to communicate the message that men must be more aware of the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer. We are delighted to be backing such an important campaign which we hope will reach both players and fans and stop more men dying unnecessarily from this disease."

Clubs are being encouraged to hold fundraising events or put information about testicular cancer on their websites and in their programmes to ensure that all their fans are aware of this type of cancer. Testicular cancer has a 96% cure rate, if caught early, and therefore it is essential that everyone is aware of the symptoms.

Philip Black from The Institute of Cancer Research said, "The awareness generated by campaigns like these saves lives, so we are delighted that The F.A. and The P.F.A. are helping us to ensure that all footballers and supporters will be better informed about this type of cancer."

Dr Lesley Walker of Cancer Research UK said, "It's really good news that the awareness message is getting out there now. We're very excited to be teaming up with the F.A. and the P.F.A. and are confident that this initiative will make many men more aware of the warning signs of testicular cancer."

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For further information, a copy of the picture, or to arrange an interview with an FA or PFA spokesperson, please contact the everyman press office or Cancer Research UK's press office on the numbers below.

Notes to Editors:

• Free leaflets containing advice on the symptoms of testicular cancer are available. Please phone 0800 731 9468 or 0870 160 2040
• Dads and Lads was formerly a campaign run by The Imperial Cancer Research Fund. They have since merged with The Cancer Research UK to form Cancer Research UK
• Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young men from 18-35. Incidence of testicular cancer has risen by 70% in the last 20 years but doctors do not know why
• everyman is The Institute of Cancer Research's campaign to raise awareness of, and vital research funds for, male cancers. It is home to the UK's first dedicated Male Cancer Research Centre. The Institute is a charity that relies upon voluntary funds.

  For Press Enquiries, please contact:
  
  Becky Webb, The Institute of Cancer Research, www.icr.ac.uk/everyman
  Tel: 020 7970 6030
  
  Nicky Brian, Cancer Research UK, www.cancerresearchuk.org
  Tel: 020 7269 3615
  
  Andrin Cooper, The Football Association, www.TheFA.com
  Tel: 020 7745 4718
  
  Simone Pound, The Professional Footballers' Association, www.givemefootball.com
  Tel: 0207 329 9966
  
  

  Please note:
  Unfortunately the press office are unable to answer queries from the general public. For general cancer information please refer to The Institute's cancer information page.

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