 |
Timboon and District Healthcare Service21 Hospital Road, Timboon 3268 Phone (03) 5558 6000 Fax:(03) 5598 3565 Email: timboon@swarh.vic.gov.au Web: www.timboonhealthcare.com.au |
Joel Selwood headlines Timboon Guy's Night OutUpdated: Thursday, 22 July 2010Contributed by Elaine Collins Timboon and District Healthcare Service annual Men's Health Night was headlined by Geelong premiership player Joel Selwood, thanks to the sponsorship of BHP Billiton. He was picked to be the guest speaker to showcase a disciplined young footballer who understands the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle both within and outside of football. Joel ran the Timboon Demons junior and senior football training sessions on the night giving the players valuable insight on key plays. He also pleased many fans by signing jumpers and having photos taken before addressing over 100 men at the dinner. Being a part of the leadership team at Geelong, Joel saw the night as a great opportunity to encourage young men to take their health seriously, especially in light of the recent health emergency of team doctor Geoff Allan, he had witnessed. On Friday night, during the Cat's pre game warm up, team doctor Geoff Allan suffered a heart attack and was revived on the ground in front of the team and spectators. This was an eye opener for the young star as not only was Dr Allan a health professional, he was also quite a fit man, yet he still ignored the early warning signs of the heart attack including tightness in the chest and being short of breath. "To see it happen right in front of you opens your eyes and reminds you that it's so important to look after yourself in the best way you can". He told the audience that they should see a doctor regularly and never leave things until it is too late. Joel then handed the reigns over to Western District Health Service men's health educator Stu Willder. Stu stressed that men need to take their health seriously now (in their 20's and 30's) to prevent problems later. "The damage is done by the time you are 50 when it comes to health issues such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. It's the things you do now that really have an impact on you later". He also touched on the importance of keeping physically and socially active as well as eating well long after the men had hung up their boots. "Every football club is touched by serious illness or death of current or retired players. We tend to let ourselves go when we can no longer keep up with the game and this is where danger lies". "Every second item you buy from the supermarket these days supports breast cancer, yet more men die from prostate cancer than women of breast cancer. It is time we did something about this fellas" Stu told the audience. |
Back to Latest News