Saturday afternoon's twilight match will be about more than just the four Premiership points on offer between Melbourne and Hawthorn, with the annual Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) Pink Lady Match returning to the MCG.
The Pink Lady Match was founded in Round 7 of the 2005 AFL season in partnership with BCNA, the Melbourne Football Club and the MCC, and returns to the MCG for the first time since 2019, after the COVID-19 pandemic forced a relocation of the match in 2020.The Pink Lady Match is a special opportunity for people to show their support for everyone in the community who has been affected by breast cancer and the additional challenges they have faced with their diagnosis and treatment alone during the COVID-19 pandemic.
President and former BCNA director, Michael Happell – who has seen the impact of breast cancer at close quarters following his wife Tatty’s diagnosis in 2004 – has called on all members to show their support this weekend, whether at the Ground or watching on from home.
“We are delighted to welcome Pink Lady Match back and to turn the MCG ‘pink’ again. It is always a very special day of togetherness and I know one that is looked forward to on the football calendar by our members,” Mr Happell said.
“The prevalence of breast cancer in the community and ripple effect it has on sufferers, family and friends means the unfortunate reality is that almost everyone will have this disease touch them in some way.”
In 2021, it is estimated that 19,998 women and 164 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer, this works out to be 55 people every day, and eight Australians will die each day from breast cancer.
And while the iconic giant pink lady won’t be on show this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, supporters can get involved in securing their virtual place on the ‘G, no matter where you live Australia-wide.
“Days like the Pink Lady Match and the work that the Breast Cancer Network Australia do each and every year, are important ways of coming together to show support to those who have been diagnosed, and pay tribute to those who have sadly passed away,” Mr Happell said.
“Like most things in our lives at the moment, things will look a little bit different to normal as we won’t have the iconic giant pink lady on the MCG pre-game.
“But there are many ways that the community can support this very worthwhile cause, and I encourage our members to show their support in whatever way is possible.”
Buy my virtual place on the MCG: Pink Lady Match 2021
All members can buy a virtual place in the giant Pink Lady, as well as leave a message of support and share their participation image on social media with the hashtags.
For attendees to this Saturday’s match, outside the MCG, there will be a Tribute Field of Women, to recognise family or friends that have been diagnosed with breast cancer, or passed away due to the disease.
All MCG match day staff will be getting in the spirit of the day, donning Pink Lady Sports Day caps and beanies throughout Round 18.
If you can’t be at the 'G to support the Pink Lady game this year, you can still get behind the BCNA and purchase Pink Sports Day merchandise via www.bcna.org.au.
Match Details – AFL Round 18
Saturday July 17, 4.35pm AEST at the MCG
Melbourne v Hawthorn