The impact of last year's inaugural BrothersIVBrothers initiative is still being felt region-wide and on Wednesday two of the charity's founders, Jason and Bryn Robertson, officially and enthusiastically launched this year's second edition.
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Last year's effort raised more than $65,000 for Western Care Lodge and Orange hospital's clinical trial program and the Robertson brothers have earmarked a similar amount as their goal for 2019's drive, with almost $40,000 of that already raised.
Once again that impressive tally will receive a substantial boost from the initiative's focal point in the Lachlan Robertson Memorial Cup rugby union clash between Knox Old Boys Legends and Orange Emus Legends, which is set down for Saturday, July 27.
We're well above $100,000 in total for the Western Care Lodge and Orange hospital's clinical trial program already.
- BrothersIVBrothers founder Bryn Robertson
Bryn Robertson said the decision to return to Orange was "a no-brainer" after the success of last year.
"Last year really was fantastic and to have raised that money for cancer care in the central west is amazing, so we're really excited to be back again in 2019," Mr Robertson said.
"What that money has achieved here so far is great and we've already raised about $40,000 this year which means we're well above $100,000 in total for the Western Care Lodge and Orange hospital's clinical trial program already, but we'd love to reach $60,000 again this year."
Western NSW Local Health District director of clinical trials Dr Rob Zielinski lauded the Robertson brothers' decision to return and he explained just how big an impact last year's funds have had, and how critical they are.
"An immense amount of money was raised last year, it was amazing and with every dollar staying here it allowed us in the clinical trials unit to put 10 or 15 new patients onto trials and open up three new trials too," Dr Zielinski said.
"Often people in this situation over-promise and under-deliver but I have to say, the BrothersIVBrothers initiative absolutely delivered last year (and) we're hopeful of being able to replicate that this year.
"We almost solely rely on community fundraisers and monies from other sources other than the government so this kind of thing is really critical ... it allows us to open up more trials and put more patients on to potentially life-saving trials and give them hope where they may not have had any."
The Legends game coincides with Emus' third and final Blowes Clothing Cup local derby against Orange City and will again be followed by the 'Rock For A Cure' function at Endeavour Oval's clubhouse afterward, where Rennie and the Jets will play and a number of auctions and raffles will be held.
"We're very excited and proud to be involved again," Emus president Steve Fergus said.
"With all the funds staying in the Orange and central west community it's great to see the guys coming back again, it's very exciting to have Orange City on board supporting the cause so enthusiastically too."
Through its annual charity game and countless other fundraising initiatives BrothersIVBrothers - founded in 2012 after the youngest Robertson brother, Lachlan, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer - has raised almost $900,000, which prior to last year was largely in aid of Sydney's Chris O'Brien Lifehouse.
"After this year's visit to Orange and the rest of our events through the year we'd love to close in the $1 million mark in 2019," Bryn Robertson said.
Tickets for this year's event can be purchased on the Knox Old Boys Rugby Club's website.
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