We're delighted to announce that nearly 200 men took part in the PSA testing day, held at the Crown Oil Arena before Saturday's League One fixture against Fleetwood Town.
We've received the official final figure from the testing team, and 197 people turned out to be tested at the event, organised in conjunction with the Barry Kilby Prostate Cancer Appeal.
Dale Manager Keith Hill, the Club’s Chief Executive David Bottomley, as well as representatives from the Dale Supporters Trust and several Club staff were amongst those to get tested.
Associate Director John Smallwood, who was the driving force behind bringing the testing day to the Crown Oil Arena, commented: "I would like to say a warm thank you to the staff from the Barry Kilby Prostate Cancer Appeal, to the medical staff on the day and to the volunteers from the East Lancs Prostate Cancer Support Group. They were a well organised and good humoured team who looked after us very well.
"I would also like to express thanks to the Dale Supporters Trust who supported the event from its announcement, helped with queue control on the day and provided a good deal of background information regarding prostate cancer on their website.
"The turn-out was above expectation and the Club are pleased that the messages, sent out through several different channels, encouraged men to come and be tested. This is part of the work that an already busy staff at the Club do in order to ensure that the Club is at the heart and hub of the Community. I spoke to some of those attending and there were a good number of Dale fans, but also residents of Rochdale and a few from Preston and Fleetwood. Thank you to the 197 for taking the opportunity to be tested.
"The results of the tests will be available to each individual within a few weeks, and for those who have a follow-up to go through, support will be available from your GP, and from organisations like the East Lancashire Prostate Cancer Support Group www.elpcsg.com.
"If anybody wishes to get in touch with me confidentially for a chat, then please feel free to write to me and mark it as 'personal’ for my attention.”
You can contact John either by email or post. Email: john.smallwood@rochdaleafc.co.uk
Post: Mr John Smallwood, Rochdale Football Club, The Crown Oil Arena, Sandy Lane, Rochdale, OL11 5DR.