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The Background
My Father was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2006, at the age of 73 and has had various treatments over the last three years including chemotherapy, stem cell transplant and more recently thalidomide and steroid drugs. A few months ago, I discovered the Myeloma Foundation website and was very impressed by the information available for patients and families, including advice on available support.This was the impetus for my decision to fundraise for the Association. I’m hoping that in the future Myeloma Foundation will have a presence in Queensland.
My Fundraising Event
I recently participated in the Bicycle Queensland annual cycling event which this year was named “The Darling Downs Loop”, a 565km/8 day bicycle ride starting and finishing in Toowoomba (west of Brisbane). The event is run each year with a different route travelling through various locations in Queensland. An option for participants was to fundraise for their favourite charity. Over the years Cycle Queensland participants have raised more than $300,000 for various causes.
This year’s ride started on September 5th 2009 and finished on September 13th 2009 (one rest day in the middle of the journey).The event was fully catered, and participant’s camping gear and personal luggage was transported from town to town for them. In between there was a succession of beautiful cycling days, a few chilly nights and lots of great memories.Movies and musical entertainment were provided each night, and if you arrived into camp early enough, there was also time for sightseeing.
See the event website for more information and photos: www.bq.org.au/cq/index.php
Conclusion
Initially, I wasn’t really sure if I would be able to ride each day and finish the event, however once the first couple of days were over, I guess I was “in the groove” and of course motivated by the commitment I had made to fundraise for the Association. Going over the finish line was very rewarding given the build up to the event and doubts I’d had about not finishing.
At a post finish line gathering, the route for next year’s event was announced as Yeppoon to Bundaberg and I hope to do it all over again in 2010, raising money again for the Association. I have also started encouraging my brother Pat to join me next year.Let’s hope one day there is a cure for Myeloma, and that the suffering for patients with this disease will be a thing of the past.
James McCormack
Footnote
James raised a very creditable $800 from his inaugural ride for myeloma. Thanks you James and best of luck next year!
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