The Breast Cancer Research Trust recently launched a fundraising initiative to help find a cure for breast cancer within 10 years (www.breastcancercure.org.nz)
My goal is to encourage at least 1000 people to support this cause by sponsoring my 1000 km cycle ride and to raise more than $15,000 in the process.
I am a cancer survivor and now my cousin has been recently diagnosed with breast cancer and is currently undergoing treatment. I have decided to do my bit to raise money for this worthy cause by contributing back to the researchers and practitioners in the field of cancer treatment, who helped me.
For a few months now I have been cycling to work – a modest distance of around 8 km. However, on November 12th, with support from 3 cyclist friends, I am going to cycle to work the long way – 1000 km from Wellington to my work in Auckland. I will arrive at work before the end of November, which marks the 19th anniversary of the end of my chemotherapy cancer treatment.
I am no elite cyclist – and neither my bike nor I are built for cycling long distances, so 1000 km is not going to be easy. There will be hills, potholes, head winds, rain, punctures, bad drivers, big trucks and pink lycra. But these challenges are minor compared to the overall challenge of reducing the impact of breast cancer. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of breast cancer in the world and it is increasing at an alarming rate. Five years ago the incidence rate of breast cancer in NZ was 1 in 10, it is now 1 in 8. There is an urgent need to find a cure.
Contact me at martin@longridetowork.co.nz
