HALL of Fame coach David Parkin's own experience with prostate cancer has inspired the AFL's 18 coaches to generate $50,000 for the cause.
Parkin, 72, had his cancerous prostate gland removed in 2009 and was a special guest this week when the AFL Coaches Association handed over a cheque to Australian Prostate Cancer Research.
The Hawthorn premiership captain and Hawks and Carlton premiership coach was instrumental in driving the coaches to take on a cause that resonated with them, using a successful 'Peeball' campaign through July.
The campaign has also encouraged more coaches to pay attention to their health, according to the AFLCA.
"I started getting tested 40 and every 12 months from 40 to 60 I had a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test," said Parkin, whose father and grandfather both died with the disease.
"At 60 I started doing it every six months and at 66 my PSA doubled in a very short time, which clearly indicated there was something wrong.
"I went off to the urologist and had mine removed with robotic surgery and we're seven or eight years down the track and I have an undetectable PSA.
"That's because I diligently did my testing, saw a rise and went and did something about it."
The AFLCA, which is looking into the work/life balance of its members, surveyed its 180 coaches and found only one in four get a health check.
Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade was one coach who had a PSA test every six months because of a family history with the disease.
Another coach was encouraged to take the 'Peeball' challenge and was concerned with the results, making an appointment with his doctor before being cleared.
"I reckon the coaches feel very strongly about this and they'll be very pleased to know that it worked," CEO Mark Brayshaw said.
"The campaign makes sense because of the demographics of our group, but then it made real sense because one of our own has a personal story to tell.
"It's fair to say that when I ask the coaches to do things there's a varied response, but in this instance they were onboard straight away."
