SUBIACO-based improvisation group Just Improvise will host the Theatresports season each Sunday in June to raise funds for sarcoma research.
Just Improvise co-founder and Australian National Theatresports champion Glenn Hall, who is co-directing the season, recently lost a close relative to the illness.
“In 2012, Jordan developed a lump on his knee; when it hadn’t healed after three weeks, he went to the doctor who gave him anti inflammatory medication to treat what was thought to be ‘growing pains’,” Mr Hall said.
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READ NOW“Six weeks later, after going to a music event, he could no longer stand and his parents finally convinced him to go back to the doctor. A scan was done and he was later diagnosed with osteo sarcoma.
“Unfortunately, Jordan had developed secondary tumours and despite extensive chemo and radiation therapy, he lost his battle with sarcoma on Mother’s Day.”
Jordan was just 23 years old.
“We didn’t want his death to be in vain and have joined forces with Sock it to Sarcoma to raise awareness of sarcoma by hosting a Theatresports season each Sunday in June,” Mr Hall said.
“We’re raising funds to help raise awareness of sarcoma, given that most people we’ve spoken to have never heard of this type of cancer, even though there are 1200 new cases of sarcoma diagnosed in Australia each year and 15 per cent of these affect people under the age of 18.
“Our aim is to get people to become familiar with the most common symptoms because sarcoma is aggressive – it has a 40 percent mortality rate within five years, making early detection absolutely critical.”
Sarcoma is a group of rare primary bone and soft tissue tumours. Symptoms include: a swelling or lump, which may or may not be painful and which changes in size; a pain in the back or limb that appears to have no cause; unrelieved pain when at rest, particularly at night; weight loss; and fatigue.
The symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to a sports injury or other causes, so if you notice any changes in your body, see your doctor.
The show, co-directed by Chris Bedding, will feature WAAPA students and guest judges, including Nova breakfast announcer Natalie Locke, and will be held on Sunday evenings at Quintilian School in Mt Claremont.