Cancer survivor Taz takes on the Tassie devil plight
Published: 28/03/2012
The plight of the Tasmanian devil and its battle with the deadly Devil Facial Tumor Disease has received a major boost, with up-and-coming V8 Supercar driver Taz ‘Tazzie’ Douglas throwing his support behind “The Save Tasmanian Devil Appeal” at Symmons Plains next weekend.
The Team iSelect driver has a lot in common with the devils. The youngster who is tackling his first full time year in the V8 Supercar series has faced and overcome a cancer battle of his own.
Douglas said “I am delighted to throw my support behind such a worthy appeal; obviously we share the same nickname and have something in common with our battle over a deadly illness as well.”
I’m proof that the fight against cancer can be won. It’s about research, it’s about education and it’s my privilege to help give back and raise the profile of this awesome appeal to save our Tassie devils.”
In a welcome boost for the Appeal, Douglas’s car is to carry the Devil Appeal logo throughout the weekend at Symmons Plains, taking the devil’s plight to millions of viewers across Australia and around the world.
"I’m hoping after my race in Adelaide at the opening round, that the little devil on my car will also be a good luck charm.”Douglas said.
Rebecca Cuthill, Manager of Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal, is pleased to again be associated with the State’s biggest annual sporting event.
With an estimated decline of 80% of wild Tasmanian devils they need help to overcome the devastating effects of Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD)”.
Given the outstanding public support the Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal received at last years Tasmania Challenge, we are delighted to once again be the nominated charity at the upcoming event”.
The Appeal is the official fundraising arm of The Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, whose vision is to maintain an enduring and ecologically functional population of devils living wild in Tasmania through three main strategies: establishing an ‘insurance population’ that is safe from disease, attempting to maintain devils in the wild; and conducting and support research into DFTD.
She added, “Every donation we receive helps us reach these goals, so with the tremendous support Taz and the V8 Supercars provide, it will certainly help our cause in trying to save our iconic Tasmanian devil”.
The 2012 V8 Supercars Tasmania Challenge will run from 30 March to 1 April.
