Western Australian reinswomen will race to raise funds for ovarian cancer research, in support of the Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group’s (ANZGOG) Team Teal campaign, from 1 February to 14 March 2021.
Racing and Wagering Western Australia’s (RWWA) Community TAB program is the main sponsor of the WA team and will donate $200 each time a race is won by a WA Team Teal driver over the six-week period.
The WA team is made up of eight reinswomen: Deni Roberts, Emily Suvaljko, Aimee-Lee Wood, Jocelyn Young, Lauren Jones, Madeleine Young, Maddison Brown, and Tonia Stampalia.
Deni Roberts and Emily Suvaljko are the 2021 Ambassadors proudly representing the WA team for the campaign.
Deni said being an ambassador for the campaign fills her with great pride.
“I believe it is a very worthy cause and I am grateful for the opportunity to be involved because it is important to me to use this campaign to spread awareness of ovarian cancer and the prevention testing that is already available,” Deni said.
“I think it is important to support a cause like Team Teal to continue raising awareness of ovarian cancer in women and contributing much needed funds towards the important research required to find a cure for ovarian cancer.”
“It is a great feeling for all of us WA female drivers as we not only get to have friendly competition between ourselves, but also the chance to share awareness, raise money, and join together to compete with women all over New Zealand and Australia whilst doing what we love.”
Emily said when WA reinswomen come together for this campaign it is a great feeling.
“The campaign brings not only women in the industry together, but it also brings women with breast cancer and ovarian cancer together – a great example of this is former reinswoman Kiara Davies and her truly inspirational story about being a survivor of breast cancer,” Emily said.
“This cause is a significant contributor to fundraising for women with ovarian cancer, with the funds raised through the campaign supporting the Cancer Research Nurses Grant Program and the Survivors Teaching Students program.”
Emily added that the campaign gives women across Australia and New Zealand extra motivation to be first across the finish line.
“During the 2021 campaign I hope we as an industry can all do our part in helping achieve the goal of raising awareness of ovarian cancer, whilst exceeding last year’s efforts in donations through us, women, getting more wins on the board against the men – in a sport that is no longer dominated by men,” Emily said.
“I appreciate being chosen as an ambassador for Team Teal as it gives me the opportunity to feel like an integral part of the success of raising awareness and I am excited to promote and raise funds for the research that may help scientists find a solution in curing ovarian cancer.”
RWWA General Manager Racing Charlotte Mills said RWWA through Community TAB is proud to have supported this cause for many years.
“Women play an integral role within our racing industry and we are so proud of our reinswomen for coming together to support this cause and represent WA,” Charlotte said.
“Each year the WA team has had great success in raising funds for Team Teal and I am sure 2021 will be no different with the industry right behind them supporting the team.”
To further support the cause, the eight reinswomen and all female clerks on course, will wear teal silks or pants throughout the campaign.
In 2020, the WA team raised over $13,000, with 35 collective wins and further donations from the wider racing community during the six-week period.
Across Australia and New Zealand, 260 reinswomen took part in the 2020 campaign, raising $164,600 from wins.
Donations can be made to support the campaign and the WA team here.
RWWA