Charity match a real game-changer

THE Tasmania JackJumpers have raised $50,000 for women battling gynaecological cancers following their momentous Teal Game at MyState Bank Arena on Sunday.

Scott and Jo Harris, the couple behind cancer charity organisation S.H.E, have hailed the event as an extraordinary success, saying Sunday’s match was “the most magical day you could possibly imagine”.

Mrs Harris has stage 4 ovarian cancer and her husband said she was “fighting for her life … and she will keep fighting until she can fight no more”.

“I had people coming up to me yesterday, hugging me and telling me their stories,” Mr Harris, the chair of S.H.E., said.

“It was an incredibly emotional experience.

“And I think it showed for me that [with] the JackJumpers, it’s not just about what happens on court, that’s the enabler. But at the end of the day it’s about the power this club has to influence off the court and build inspiration and motivation for our young people.

“And it’s given everyone such a great sense of hope that anything’s possible.”

In their pivotal 102-94 victory against the Perth Wildcats on Sunday, the JackJumpers wore specially designed teal jerseys to raise awareness of gynaecological cancers, with the game-worn jerseys put up for auction and all proceeds going to S.H.E.

S.H.E. had donation stations on the MyState Bank Arena concourse and Mr Harris said JackJumpers sponsors SRT Logistics and MyState had each donated $10,000 to the charity.

He said S.H.E. had raised about $50,000 in total following the Teal Game.

In emotional post-game scenes, JackJumpers coach Scott Roth embraced Mr and Mrs Harris, which Mr Harris described as a “very moving experience”.

“Scott’s been just such an important part of our journey,” he said.

“He checks in with Jo and I regularly. He’s been affected by cancer with his sister and his mother. So he gets it.”

Mr Harris also paid tribute to the JackJumpers staff, saying they had pulled off a logistical feat in making the game such a special experience.

“They are a very small team but what they pulled off yesterday, the love and care and support, was amazing.”

It’s given everyone such a great sense of hope that anything’s possible

SCOTT HARRIS