Back in time

The Lakehead Thunderwolves are going retro this weekend in support of prostate cancer awareness.

The hockey team, celebrating its 10th anniversary season, on Saturday night will sport replica jerseys from their 2001 return to the university hockey ranks when they take on the York Lions, auctioning them off during the game to the highest bidding fans in attendance.
 
The sweaters will also sport a distinctive Prostate Man logo on the left shoulder.
 
Thunderwolves president Rory Cava said the disease has touched nearly everyone in the community. His own father is a prostate cancer survivor, and the annual jersey auction is a great way to hit a cross-section of Thunder Bay’s avid hockey fans and let them know a little bit more about the disease.

One in six men will contract the disease, and while it’s not yet water-cooler talk, it has crept out of the shadows and more men are talking about it.

It’s all about taking the stigma out of the disease, which Regional Cancer Care has done wonderfully in Thunder Bay, Cava said.

“I think they’ve done a great job about making it fun,” said Cava, whose face has been plastered on billboards and poster this year as one of several Prostate Man portrayers. “A lot of people have come up to me and said I’ve seen you on the poster for Prostate Man. I just think the fun part has maybe overcome some of the perceived barriers.”

Thunder Bay Hospital Foundation president Glenn Craig agreed with Cava, saying they’ve intentionally tried to take some of the seriousness out of the discussion, while at the same time getting the message across. Hockey, given its demographics, is a perfect fit, he added.

“One of our catch phrases is to take it like a man. A lot of men aren’t very comfortable talking about things south of their belt or about their health issues. So we’re really challenging people to take their health into your own hands and do something about it.”

Scott Sellick, director of supportive and palliative care at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, said instances of prostate cancer are expected to increase by 67 per cent by 2014 in Thunder Bay, an alarming number.

But it’s not as bad as it sounds, and people can take steps to ensure they don’t become a statistic.

“Men aged 50 and over need to talk to their health-care providers about prostate cancer,” he said.

Early detection vastly increases survivor rates, Sellick added, noting that prevention is the best cure of all.

“You can reduce your risk by being active for at least 30 minutes each day, eating right and living smoke-free.”

The TBHF will also be selling Prostate Man t-shirts in the Fort William Gardens lobby on Saturday night. The shirts are $15, with proceeds going to fight the disease locally.