My Reason to Ride is simple - to raise money for Cancer Research.

 

And the place where that research takes place is the major Research Hospitals in Australia. The one I have got to know well is Peter Mac. If you live in Victoria, this place is something that most people have heard of. And if you live outside of Victoria, chances are you have still heard of it! Peter Mac is a public hospital that specialises in the treatment of Cancer. One whole big hospital, dedicated to trying to treat those who are suffering from this life threatening disease. One whole big building trying to find a reason not to exist!

 

I remember when I first stepped foot into Peter Mac. There was no emergency department. There was no fancy entrance that I saw. It was very plain and very boring. We made our way to Level 2 (for memory) where we were there to visit Vince - my brother in law. This would be the first of many visits. It has been just over 6 years since Cancer became a word that made my heart ache. I had known people in the past who had cancer, I had known people in the past who had died of cancer. I was either too young or too distant to know what it really meant. But on June 20, 2007 at 4:49pm, this word became a word that would forever break my heart. This was the moment that my brother-in-law picked up the phone, pushed the numbers to call his little brother and tell him that he had Cancer.

It was kidney cancer that had spread to his lymph nodes and it didn't look good. The doctors had told him (I'm sure in their very sensitive bedside manor) to go home, put his affairs in order and prepare to die. Through a very blurred conversation there is 2 things I will never forget. The moment my husband dropped to his knees sobbing and the one question Vince had for me - "What will I tell Mum?" By all calculations, Vince should not have been around to celebrate Christmas in 2007. But because of Peter Mac, he will be here to celebrate Christmas in 2013 ... and probably in 2052 knowing Vince!

 

First it began as fight to support my Brother-In-Law in the fight of his life. Then it began as a Fight to support my husband and the rest of his family as Vince put in the fight of his life. Now, it is Fighting Back - to try and Conquer Cancer. I am doing these rides for Vince, for Peter Mac, for all the other research institutes in Australia and to all my Angels and Fighters. To say Thank You. Thank You to Peter Mac for saving him. Thank you to Vince for putting up with the Chemo, the operations, the mental fight and the physical fight.

 

My Rides in 2013:

Brisbane - August 17 - 18

Benefiting Queensland Institute of Medical Research

COMPLETED - $2,500 raised

 

Sydney - October 12 - 13

Benefiting The Chris O'Brien Lifehouse at RPA

 

Perth - October 19 - 20

Benefiting Western Australian Institute of Medical Research

 I am unable to attend Perth, however I am committed to riding 200kms by completing the Melbourne Around the Bay

Melbourne - October 26 - 27

Benefiting Peter Mac

 

Adelaide - November 30 - December 1

Benefiting Flinders Medical Centre Foundation

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For a further insight into my Ride to Conquer Cancer - the emotional ups and downs, the reasons I continue to ride and an update of the fun I am having along the way, head over to my blog

Reason2Ride

Many thanks also need to go to my personal sponsors - Liv/Giant.