TIES THAT BIND IN CYCLING TO MARCH FOR MELANOMA

TIES THAT BIND IN CYCLING TO MARCH FOR MELANOMA

A Brother’s Love Knows No Geography
 

Thursday, 20 March 2014, Sydney: The death of his older sister Tess to melanoma in March 2013 inspired Raphael McGowan to establish Cycling to March and ride 1900km from Adelaide to Sydney to raise awareness against a disease that claims the lives of 1500 Australians a year. Cycling to March aims to increase awareness of Melanoma to young Australians, raise over $100,000 for vital Melanoma research and raise awareness of the annual Melanoma March which becomes a national event for the first time in 2014 with 17 marches taking place across Australia.

Following the finish of his ride Raphael will attend the walk in Manly on Sunday.

McGowan's solo endurance ride has had the full endorsement of the Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) and when he crosses the finish line in Sydney’s Centennial Park on Friday morning he will be officially met by Councillor John Mant from Sydney City Council, Reg Richardson AM, Chairman of Melanoma Institute Australia and Stephanie Rice, Olympic Champion and Melanoma Institute Australia Ambassador.

"Tess was just 29 years old when she was diagnosed with melanoma and she passed away 11 months later leaving behind a husband and daughter and devastating our families. The inspiration for Cycling to March was to ride and fundraise to honour the gift of her incredible voice and spirit and it has very much been in my thoughts and in my heart throughout the journey," said Raphael McGowan.

Raphael’s route started in Adelaide on February 26 and he cycled the Great Ocean Road into Melbourne taking in the towns of Mt Barker, Bordertown, Mt Gambier, Warrnambool, Apollo Bay and Barwon Heads before turning north and heading inland to make the journey to Sydney by March 21 to coincide with Melanoma March Day on Sunday March 23. His route to Sydney has seen him warmly welcomed by the towns of Whittlesea, Bonnie Doon, Benalla, Chiltern, Culcairn, Wagga Wagga, Gundagai, Yass, Goulburn, Mittagong and Campbelltown before the last leg into Centennial Park Sydney on Friday morning.

General Manager of Melanoma Institute Australia Nicola Ware said:

“Melanoma is Australia’s national cancer with over 12,500 new cases of melanoma diagnosed each year and the highest incidence in the world. Amongst Australian men and women, it is the third most common form of cancer and sadly kills more young Australians in the 20–34 year-old age group than any other single cancer every year, people just like Raphael’s sister Tess. The ongoing research, clinical and drug therapy trials running at The Poche Centre in Sydney are vital to improving early detection programs, unlocking better treatment pathways and hopefully a cure in the longer term. I never cease to be amazed by the passion, energy and enthusiasm of patients and their families who initiate these marvellous fundraising programs that are very much an integral contribution to the costs of MIA’s research and trials - we are indebted to Raphael for making Cycle To March such a great success.”

 ENDS:

For media wishing to cover Raphael’s arrival in Centennial Park on Friday 21st March or to range an interview with Chairman of Melanoma Institute Australia Reg Richardson AM or Melanoma Institute Australia Ambassador and Olympic Swimmer Stephanie Rice please contact Melissa Arbuthnot at MIA on 0400-332-662 or by email to media@melanoma.org.au

ABOUT CYCLING TO MARCH

Raphael McGowan's 1900km odyssey wouldn't be possible without the selfless help of his many supporters behind the scenes, both on and off the bike. Highly respected Camden-based bike builder, Paul Hillbrick built Raphael a customised road bike and supplied all the necessary spare parts, he was coached by Albion Cycles' Frank Concaicao, a former Australian and Portugal Olympic and triathlon official and the driving force behind the Eastern Suburbs Cycle Club in Sydney to become "ride fit" and backed by Phill Bates, himself a noted figure in the Australia Cycling and the world body, the UCI.

Other major corporates joining the McGowan peloton included Toyota, who supplied the support vehicles, Caltex, SAP, Mass Nutrition, EPICA Jewellery and the Western Bulldogs AFL club in addition to Hillbrick and Albion Cycles.

McGowan's Cycling to March will be taken in stages with members of the public encouraged to join Raphael cycling and donate towards a great cause. He has averaged riding 85kms a day starting from Parliament House in Adelaide, in front of the city which has now hosted the Santos Tour Down Under for 16 years on the morning of February 26.

To donate, go to the Cycling to March website at www.cyclingtomarch.com

For media interested in arranging an interview with Raphael McGowan, he can be contacted on his mobile 0427-095-208.    

About Melanoma Institute Australia

• Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to preventing and curing melanoma through innovative research, treatment and education programs.
• Headquartered at the Poche Centre in North Sydney, it is now the world’s largest melanoma research and treatment centre. 
• The Poche Centre is affiliated with Sydney University, St Vincents and Mater Health Sydney, The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Australian & New Zealand Melanoma Trials Group (ANZMTG)
• Melanoma Institute Australia relies on the generosity of individuals, organisations and government funding to continue its ground-breaking work into this potentially devastating cancer.
• To register to walk in the 2014 Melanoma March, sponsor or donate to the campaign of someone walking please visit melanomamarch.com.au
• You can follow Melanoma Institute Australia on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Melanoma-Institute-Australia or on Twitter at @MelanomaAus utilising the hashtags #melanomamarch or #MIAWalk or #MIACure