ASBK press release:

The Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) is proud to announce the Leukaemia foundation as their official charity.

With a mission to care and vision to cure, the Leukaemia Foundation has played a vital role in supporting and saving the lives of thousands of people affected by the disease since 1975.

Leukaemia Foundation of Australia Chief Executive Officer, Peter Cox, welcomes the Foundation’s selection by the International Entertainment Group (ASBK Promoters) as charity beneficiary.

“The Leukaemia Foundation is delighted to have been chosen by the International Entertainment Group as beneficiary charity of the Australian Superbike Series” Cox said.

“This partnership will help to raise awareness of the impact of leukaemias, lymphomas and myeloma in our community and highlight the Foundation’s important work”.

“Over 40,000 people are living with leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma in Australia today and 10,000 more are projected to be diagnosed this year.

“The demand for the Leukaemia Foundation’s services and support continues to rise.

“Children are among the recipients of the Leukaemia Foundation’s free services including information, emotional support, transportation to and from hospital, and accommodation for regional families required to relocate to capital cities for the duration of treatment.

“In addition, the Foundation invests millions each year into the work of Australia’s most talented researchers to find better treatments and cures. Although blood cancers such as leukaemia still have among the worst survival rates of any cancer, research is making a real difference in our life-time.

“20 years ago, only 20% of children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia were expected to survive. Today that figure is over 80% thanks to research.

“But there is still more important work that needs to be done.

“We are looking forward to the support of the International Entertainment Group to make a tangible difference to the quality of life for patients and their families through their long and tough treatment and beyond” Cox said.

Yarrive Konsky, Director of International Entertainment Group (Promoters of the ASBK) said he was extremely proud to support the Leukaemia Foundation and is dedicated to raising the profile and financial viability of the charity through the Australian Superbike Championship.

“It is with great pleasure that IEG can announce the Leukaemia Foundation as the Official Charity of the Australian Superbike Championship,” Konsky said.

“The disease indiscriminately affects so many lives, especially children, and unfortunately the motorcycle racing community has also been touched by Leukaemia with 2008 Supersport Champion Jamie Stauffer’s son Max, recently being diagnosed”.

“However, IEG are committed to establishing a long and positive relationship with the Leukaemia foundation in order to help fight the battle and positively contribute to supporting and saving lives in the future.”

The ASBK will auction off a brand new AGV helmet signed by Mick Doohan, along with other supported products, at lunchtime on Sunday 4th April at the second round of the Australian Superbike Championship at Symmons Plains Raceway (TAS), with all proceeds going to the Leukaemia foundation.

For more information on the Leukaemia Foundation, go to www.leukaemia.org.au.