A LINK to a late Australian sportsperson is the inspiration behind Zac Williams’ Movember pledge this year.
It was 10 years ago in April when Dylan Tombides passed away due to testicular cancer. He was just 20 years of age, and had made his debut for English top-flight side West Ham in the League Cup as an 18-year-old during a period of recovery from his health battles.
A rising star of Australian football, the loss of Tombides was a devastating one, with West Ham retiring the No.38 kit in his honour. Less than a year after his passing, the Dylan Tombides DT38 foundation was launched.
The charity’s mission is to raise awareness and change the stigma associated with men’s health issues, with a focus on testicular cancer.
Williams’ link to Tombides comes through his wife Rachel, who was a childhood friend of Tombides growing up in Perth. When Rachel mentioned the possibility of Williams becoming an Ambassador, he was more than happy to jump at the opportunity, joining the likes of Arsenal’s Declan Rice (formerly of West Ham) and Sam Kerr among a host of others.
“With one of my good mates going through testicular cancer as well in Bobby [Hill] and what he went through, I just saw it as a great opportunity to raise awareness and be part of something great like this,” Williams told Carlton Media.
“They raise awareness for testicular cancer and educate young men - plus men of all ages. It was a great opportunity to get on social media and get the word out there about DT38.
“They do some great things, they’re obviously based in the UK. I thought I’d play my part, have a clean shave last night for [media] so you could see the mo.
“It’s a great foundation: it’d be perfect if some people got behind it.”
