Match for cancer: Charity partners confirmed

Match for cancer: Charity partners confirmed

Celtic FC Foundation and the Stiliyan Petrov Foundation have confirmed two cancer charity partners that they will work with to make a positive difference to patients and their families following ‘A Match for Cancer’.

This year’s charity game, sponsored by Dafabet and Laduma, will take place at Celtic Park on Saturday, September 8, 2018, with a 2pm KO, and tickets are on sale now. The match will see Celtic legend, Stiliyan – who has bravely battled through Leukaemia since being diagnosed in 2012 – and Liverpool midfielder, James Milner pull together opposing squads from the worlds of football and entertainment. Every penny raised will be devoted to tackling cancer through three equal beneficiary charities – Celtic FC Foundation, the Stiliyan Petrov Foundation and the James Milner Foundation. The club and the Stiliyan Petrov Foundation named the following two charities as beneficiaries:

Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity (GCHC) – the Schiehallion Ward.  

The ward was named after the mountain – Schiehallion – by Professor Brenda Gibson, Professor of Paediatric Haematology at the Royal Hospital for Children – to mirror the journey for children with cancer. The Charity recognises that it’s an uphill struggle, but also recognises that you can walk up a path with lots of people who will help get you to the top.

The charity aims to provide a range of support services to help patients and their families affected by a cancer diagnosis.

Funds raised will be devoted to the provision of patient and family treats, aiming to give young cancer patients and their families the opportunity to make special memories, throughout and after their treatment. Funds will enable the charity to organise special breaks away for young cancer patients, or to help purchase toys and games that can help to distract and stimulate children during the most difficult of times. Funds will enable families affected by a cancer diagnosis to make special memories, and to bring some joy and laughter, during the most harrowing of times.

Beatson Cancer Charity

Beatson Cancer Charity supports people affected by cancer, every step of the way. The charity based at the Gartnavel NHS Campus, makes the journey easier by transforming the way cancer care is funded and delivered. From funding clinical specialists, research and education, to the provision of hospital wellbeing services and employment related support and advice, Beatson Cancer Charity invests in a better future for cancer patients and their families.

The raised money will support the transformation of relatives’ rooms to greatly improve the lives of thousands of patients and their loved ones, helping to make their last moments together more precious and meaningful.

Families often stay overnight with their loved one, sometimes for long periods, when the patient is receiving end of life care or undergoing long-term procedures such as bone-marrow transplants. This is especially the case for the many young people who are admitted to the Beatson Hospital. Families also need discreet rooms where they can meet with consultants, often to receive distressing news.

“Cancer doesn’t pick and choose”

Celtic FC Foundation Chief Executive, Tony Hamilton, said: “Cancer affects people and families everywhere and it doesn’t pick and choose. We have an opportunity in September to alleviate some of the pressure people face and help those organisations who are best equipped to help people when they need it most.”

Stiliyan Petrov added: “The support that my family and I have received from the Celtic fans over these past few years has been truly amazing, I cannot thank them enough. It’s always so special to come home to Celtic Park. Our goal from this match is to help children and adults with cancer – and their families – to tackle the journey through diagnosis and treatment towards what we hope will be a positive outcome.”