‘Match Against Prostate Cancer’ raises funds and awareness

The fundraiser, usually held at Jarry Park, has raised more than $1.5 million for the Segal Cancer Centre over the past nine years. To celebrate their 10th year, the organizing committee sought a new venue and set themselves a goal of $500,000 to benefit prostate cancer research.

According to Pat Ifrah-Stein, who co-chaired the event with Elyssa Yanofsky, the committee chose to dedicate the funds raised to prostate cancer, the most prevalent cancer in Canadian men, in order to raise awareness about the disease.

“I knew nothing about prostate cancer when my dad was diagnosed two years ago,” said Ifrah-Stein. “It was a simple blood test that detected it. It’s like a mammogram, it should be a yearly examination.”

Ifrah-Stein’s father is now in remission following treatment at the Segal Centre by Dr. Jacques Corcos, chief of urology at the JGH.

“It’s important to be screened for prostate cancer considering the frequency of the disease,” said Dr. Corcos.

Testing for the disease, that will affect one in eight Canadian men in their lifetime, involves a rectal exam and blood test that should be done annually in men over age 50. Men with higher risk factors, including a family history or the risk of coronary artery disease, should start talking to their doctors around age 40.

“In a very large number of cases we can control the disease with treatment,” said Corcos. In fact, the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada website indicates that 95 per cent of prostate cancer cases are curable when detected early.

According to Dr. Corcos, the tennis tournament is an essential fundraiser for the hospital, which is a leader in prostate cancer research in Canada. He approached pharmaceutical companies and worked alongside the sponsorship co-chairs, Richard Stein, Richard Yanofsky and Charles R. Spector, to involve major sponsors including Paladin Labs Inc, Sanofi-Aventis, HSBC Bank Canada and Abbott.

Richard Stein is proud of the tournament’s success. “We had a fabulous committee this year, and we have the most incredible community in the world,” he said, adding that he would like to see the tournament continue to support prostate cancer and hopes to eventually create a national event.

“My long-term goal is to make this a national tennis day where, across the country, people will be playing tennis for prostate cancer,” said Stein. He also hopes to draw attention to the disease through branding. To that end, the committee developed a magnetized ribbon to promote the event, similar to the pink ribbons that have been used in the fight against breast cancer.

In total, 80 players took to the courts at the Mount Royal Tennis Club, on a day when the mercury climbed to 32 degrees. The private club has held fundraisers to benefit the Children’s Hospital in the past, but this was the first time that the club had opened its doors to non-members for an event.

“Because it’s our centennial at this location, we wanted to give something back to the community,” said Westmount City Councilor and tennis club president Patrick Martin. “We are very proud to be able to participate in the great success of the fundraising effort.”

The tournament was followed by dinner and a cabaret show at Bice Restaurant in downtown Montreal.

At press time, figures showed the event had raised around $450,000 and the Jewish General Hospital Foundation office was still accepting donations.