When you talk about the Redcliffe Dolphins; you will invariably bring up the name of Jon Sloan; one of the club’s biggest fans and most valued contributors.
And while Ipswich Jets devotee and QRL correspondent Michael Nunn might like to engage in some light-hearted banter with ‘Sloany’ when their two teams go head-to-head; the high regard he holds him in is self-evident.
Sloany is an ornament to the game and is also a strong role model for life away from the game as well.
In his own words on his Twitter bio – he describes his experience with cancer:
“I was diagnosed with cancer Christmas eve 1999, but thought I would hang around a while, don’t mind a cold beer and watching the Redcliffe Dolphins run around.”
‘Nunny’ – a teacher at Boondall State School – will present to his school how his friend is inspiring him to raise funds for Movember and men’s health issues. An abridged version of his presentation has been published below.
…
It’s Movember time again!
The Movember foundation raises money every year for men’s health issues like mental health and cancer.
I wanted to tell you today why I choose to participate in Movember. I try every year to pick a mate or family member and focus on them for the month.
Let me tell you about Sloany.
Straight away, you can probably notice something is different about him. He had surgery to remove an aggressive cancer. In beating his cancer, they had to remove his voice box.
So he can’t talk; he writes everything down to communicate. He carries a metal board with him and a marker pen to make sure you get his point.
Often – his point is making fun of people from Ipswich with red hair.
If you’re not watching, or if – as I have done a lot – go to write on his board; then you cop the pointy end and a quick “I can hear, I just can’t speak" reminder and a laugh.
Sloany did something right that many men do not do.
He went and was checked out when he thought something wasn’t right.
As men, we are terrible at talking about issues, (be it) physical or mental, we do not do it well.
On average in Australia, women live six years longer than men do.
Because of early intervention, Sloany is still a great mate and with us today.
Movember aims to raise awareness and give men the confidence to say something isn’t right here – too many men dying too young.
You can play your part, encourage your brother, dad, uncle or any men in your life to not just ignore it and hope it will go away.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, and rates are on the rise.
Testicular cancer is the second most common cancer affecting men aged 18 to 39.
1 in 2 Australian men have had a mental health problem at some point in their lives.
These are the stats that motivate me to look like this for November and raise some money.
- To donate to Michael Nunn’s Movember campaign – click here >> Mo Bro: Michael Nunn
