More than $3000 was raised for breast cancer research on Saturday, May 17, at the Wollongong Illawarra Roller Derby’s (WIRD) breast cancer fundraiser potluck held at the University of Wollongong’s Sports Hub.
Competitors from as far afield as Newcastle and Canberra joined WIRD players for the opening junior roller derby bout – for players aged seven to 17 – before women and non-binary players from the Steel City Derby Dolls and Steel City Rollers sides took to the track.
WIRD media coordinator Amy Joyce said many players have been affected by the disease, so the National Breast Cancer Foundation fundraiser was a rewarding way to start their first bout on home turf this year.
“We were looking at doing a Mother's Day event and we ended up landing on doing a breast cancer fundraiser [because] it's close to many of our hearts,” Amy said.
“For me, my mother-in-law has just finished radiation for breast cancer, and my grandmother has just been re-diagnosed with breast cancer but this time it's double breast cancer. She's doing quite well in her treatment, which is great.”
Some players changed their names to honour family and friends who have the disease or who have passed away from breast cancer.
“Some of us [played] under other people's names… [so] at least five skaters [went] under different names from our league alone, then there's also obviously the potluck guys – so people coming from Newcastle, Central Coast, Canberra, Inner West, Sydney… some of them have also changed their names to people that they know who have been battling breast cancer," Amy said.
“[We made] custom shirts, so they're different to our usual uniforms. Someone's actually going to be donating their shirt to their family member who's been battling breast cancer so she can have a roller derby shirt with her name on it, which is really cute.”
As well as selling more than 50 tickets online and many more on the door, donations by the public and profits donated by stallholders helped WIRD reach their $3000 fundraising goal – a feat they didn’t expect to achieve at their first fundraiser.
Amy says the success of this event has inspired more to come.
“We would really love to do the breast cancer [fundraiser] every year,” she said.
“Next year we're looking at opening up into [mixed gender], so no matter what you identify as you can come and play along.
“You're helping a good cause and you're getting a fun game, if you haven't seen it before, it's always great to see something new.”
If you would like to donate, please visit the website.
