Shayna Jack: Olympic star honours dad by becoming ambassador for Prostate Cancer Foundation’s The Long Run

Olympic freestyle sensation Shayna Jack is stepping onto the diving block for a powerful cause as the face of a national men’s health campaign in honour of her dad.

The Australian swimming star has been named the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s 2025 The Long Run Ambassador, a role close to her heart following her father’s recent battle with the disease.

“The Prostate Cancer Foundation became a very important part of my life and my family’s life when my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023,” Jack said.

The 25-year-old Queenslander — now splitting her time in Perth with fiance and Kookaburras hockey star Joel Rintala — plans to dive headfirst into the pool this September and swim 72km as part of the nationwide campaign.

“It’s not just (about) reaching the 72km, it’s actually just raising that awareness and being involved,” she said.

“But my goal is the 72km, because go big or go home.”

When her father was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022, it rocked her world.

“For me, as his daughter, it was a scary one. I’ve never thought that I would have to imagine a life without my dad,” she said.

“He’s such an important part of my life, within my swimming career, but also very much externally, out of my swimming career, and I didn’t want that to happen.

“Hearing the C word, being cancer, I instantly became terrified that I was about to lose my dad.”

But the family met the diagnosis head-on. Stu Jack has since been cleared of cancer — a moment Jack says gave her the peace of mind she needed heading into the Paris Olympics earlier this year.

“He has been cleared of having prostate cancer, which was really a massive relief,” she said.

“Especially going into my Olympic year, knowing my dad was healthy and happy and in good shape, just made me feel comfortable and made me feel like, you know, he’s on that path of recovery.”

Now, Jack is using her platform to encourage other men to get regular health checks and kick cancer to the curb.

“As a daughter and as a sister and as a fiance, I would just urge everyone to get those regular checks,” she said.

“Getting those regular checkups, getting those blood tests ... it can save your life.”

For prostate cancer survivor Paul Buswell, the message is similar, get tested early.

“If any cancers are detected early, there’s a big chance that you’ll survive it,” he said.

“I’ve just got to go with the flow now and try to be as healthy as I can and hope for the best. I’m not out of the woods, but let’s see how we go.”

The Long Run sees thousands of Aussies swim, walk, run or ride 72km over the month of September — one for every man diagnosed with prostate cancer each day in Australia.

Prostate Cancer Foundation fundraising and events manager Joanne Jones said Jack’s involvement brings much-needed visibility to the cause.

“We are so excited to have Shayna Jack as our ambassador for the long run this year,” she said.

“It’s going to bring incredible awareness and visibility to this really important campaign.”