WA Reinswomen Victorious in supporting Ovarian Cancer Research
With collective support from the wider racing community, WA’s team of reinswomen have raised over $7,000 for the 2021 Team Teal campaign in support of the Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG).
Organised by WomenCan, the campaign raises funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research, with Racing and Wagering Western Australia’s (RWWA) Community TAB as the major sponsor for the WA team, donating $200 each time a race was won by the WA team over the past six weeks.
The women’s triumphs on the track resulted in Community TAB donating over $6,000, and in addition the racing industry showed their support through generous donations.
Team Teal Ambassador Emily Suvaljko, who secured 11 wins for the WA team, said she is happy with what the WA team achieved.
“I appreciate being chosen as an ambassador for the Team Teal campaign as it gives me the opportunity to feel like an integral part of the success in raising awareness for ovarian cancer, and this led to being chosen to be a part of the 2020/2021 Tasmanian Ladies Driving Championships, and the experience to race against Australia’s top reinswomen, which I thoroughly enjoyed,” Emily said.
“This campaign gives women across Australia and New Zealand extra motivation to be first across the finishing line, as well as healthy competition between each State.”
“In the harness racing industry, it is not just the drivers that come together, it is all the women in the industry, it brings women with breast cancer and ovarian cancer together. A great example of this is Kiara Davies, a breast cancer survivor with close ties to the industry.”
RWWA General Manager Racing Charlotte Mills said the industry is extremely proud of the WA Team Teal.
“Our female drivers are playing a vital role in raising funds for this cause each year, and we couldn’t be prouder,” Charlotte said.
“They have shown true passion for the initiative and have done an amazing job representing WA and advocating within the harness racing industry.”
“We are thrilled to be able to support the team through our Community TAB program.”
To further support the campaign, the WA Team Teal drivers and all female clerks on course wore teal pants or silks.
The 2021 WA Team Teal campaign ran from 1 February to 21 March, with funds raised going towards ANZGOG’s Gynaecological Cancer Research Nurses Grant Program and the Survivors Teaching Students program.
The WomenCan Team Teal campaign is a partnership with the Harness Racing industry in Australia and New Zealand.