#RakNieGraFair - a campaign of the First Football League

During the 13th round of the Betclic 1st League, we continue the #RakNieGraFair campaign, organized by the First Football League in cooperation with the "Młode z raka" Association. The campaign highlights the importance of preventative breast cancer screenings, regardless of age or gender. Early detection of breast cancer offers the possibility of a cure.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During this time, topics related to prevention, diagnosis, and modern treatment are discussed. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, both in Poland and worldwide. It increasingly affects young people, i.e., those over 20 years of age. In Poland, approximately 20,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, meaning that over 50 Polish women are diagnosed with the disease every day, and 15 die each day.

"Pink October" is an ideal opportunity to promote cancer prevention and awareness. The campaign is aimed not only at female fans but also at men. Men can start discussions about prevention at home and thus help their female loved ones. Importantly, men also need to be vigilant, as breast cancer can also affect the male population.

For years, Betclic 1 Liga has been committed to promoting socially important issues that can affect not only footballers and fans but also their loved ones. The #RakNieGraFair campaign breaks stereotypes and shows that breast cancer is a disease not only of our mothers, grandmothers, and aunts, but also of young women and men, which is why it's so important to maintain oncological vigilance.

During the 13th round of the Betclic 1 League, teams and clubs will promote this important initiative. Captains will wear pink captain's armbands, emphasizing their commitment to the #RakNieGraFair campaign. During the match, fans will hear a message encouraging preventive screenings. Fans will be able to view an infographic and brief instructions on breast self-examination online. In Legnica, Kołobrzeg, Łódź, and Gdynia, fans will be able to visit pink prevention villages at the stadiums just before the match, where representatives of local National Health Fund (NFZ) branches and sanitary-epidemiological stations will answer questions about preventive healthcare. This is a great opportunity to learn more and take care of themselves and their loved ones. Arka Gdynia is going a step further – during the match against Pogoń Siedlce, the players will wear pink shirts to promote the "Breast (Pier(w)si w Gdyni" (Breast) campaign.

"We are proud that the Polish First Football League is going beyond the rigid framework of cooperation and organizing a campaign aimed primarily at female fans and their loved ones. We are pleased that football is becoming a platform for raising public awareness of breast cancer and can use its reach for an important cause. Encouraging self-examinations, as well as preventive screenings such as mammography and ultrasound, can save lives. Sport has not only the power of entertainment but also enormous potential for conveying important social messages," said Klaudia Lencka, board member of the Young with Cancer Association.

The Young with Cancer Association (Młody z raka) – its main goal is to conduct informational and educational activities that increase public awareness of the prevalence of breast cancer in young women. Through their personal experiences, they share knowledge, offer hope, and promote prevention. These young people are breaking stereotypes and demonstrating that everyone, regardless of age, should always be vigilant and undergo regular preventive screenings.