At the Tri Nations Tournament held in Hanoi in November 2007, the Swans raffled off a 4.5 liter mega bottle of Jim Beam as part of Movember. The footballers and netballers from Vietnam, Thailand and Laos raised 5 million Vietnamese Dong (USD 300). The Swans’ Micky Johnston, explains what was done with the money.

Attached is the photo of the handover of 5,000,000 VND to Dr Judith Ladinsky, Chair of the non-governmental organization, the U.S. Committee for Scientific Cooperation with Vietnam and Laos.The money was raised by the Vietnam Swans, Laos Elephants and Thailand Thaigers players, netballers and supporters at JAFA Restaurant (after the Tri Nations Tournament)  towards the funding of prostate screening in Viet Nam. Currently, this is not a program that is conducted regularly, but prostate cancer will become a growing issue as the male demographic of Viet Nam gets older.

The money was handed over at the office of Dr Thang, head of the Institute of Research into HIV, which is one of the many projects funded under Dr Ladinsky’s Committee. Information about a recent award from the Vietnamese Government can be read at http://hanoi.usembassy.gov/pr071207.html 

Dr Ladinsky was extremely surprised to receive the money.  Dr. Thang had not told her of the reason for my visit.  Needless to say, the Swans hope to continue to raise funds and Dr Ladinsky looks forward to working with her Committee to commence the prostate screening program.