In 2018 it is estimated that 1,735,350 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. alone. Cancer is a disease that respects no boundaries and obeys no rules. Anyone regardless of sex, race, culture, age, nationality, or socio-economic standing is subject to being diagnosed with some form of the disease. Each of us knows at least one person who has faced cancer whether it is a relative, friend, co-worker, or they have faced it themselves. In 2016 there were an estimated 15.5 million cancer survivors in the U.S. with an estimated 20.3 million by 2026. Cobb County 911 in partnership with Swift Reach and the American Cancer Society hope to make sure this number is surpassed. With the help of Johannes Neethling Gericke, Life University Championship Rugby player, who will be taking the SPLASH on behalf of Cobb County 911 ,we hope to make a big SPLASH in the fight to stand up to cancer.
We at Cobb 911 support the American Cancer Society in their efforts to not only help those diagnosed and their families fight the disease, but also their goal to find a cure. The American Cancer Society has invested more than $4.6 billion in cancer research since 1946, all to find more – and better – treatments, uncover factors that may cause cancer, and improve cancer patients' quality of life. WE HOPE EVERYONE CAN COME OUT OR PROVIDE SUPPORT THROUGH DONATIONS TO PUT AN END TO CANCER!
Taking the SPLASH for the American Cancer Society - Johannes Neethling Gericke
Born July 31,1990 Cape Town, South Africa
He spent the first six years of his life growing up on Robben Island. They moved to a small town, 4hours east of Cape Town, called Jongensfontein where he spend most of his time fishing, playing rugby and cricket. At Oakdale Agricultural high school he developed as a rugby and cricket player, and represented his province in both. In 2008 he got selected to represent the South African Schools rugby team as the tight-head which open doors to be part of the Western Province Rugby academy in 2009. A shoulder injury kept him from having a chance to represent Western Province in the u/19 Currie Cup. That shoulder injury forced him to move positions, and the number two jersey became the only option. From 2010 to 2016 he studied at Slellenbosch University where he also played for the rugby club, Maties. Throughout his career at Stellenbosch he represented the Maties first team and second Team (Vics) from 2012 – 2015 where he also captained the Vics team on numerous occasions. He also got his BA Humanities degree in 2014 and his Post Graduate Certificate in Education in 2015.
In April, 2016, he came to Life University to further his studies in Psychology, play rugby for the mens club, and be a graduate assistant (GA) rugby coach for the varsity team. In his two years at Life University he became a Resident Assistant, won the D2 Rugby National Championship as a player (2017), won the D1A Rugby National Championship as a GA coach (2018), and graduated from his bachelors of science in Psychology and Started with Masters of Science in Positive Psychology
P.S. Be sure to come and cheer for American Cancer Society's sports celeb to take the PLUNGE!! Tickets are $20 in advance. Tickets includes entrance to event, two drink tickets, hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants on Restaurant Row, music by Atrractive Nuisance and entry for giveaways!