CURRENTLY on the Nullabor in a 1967 convertible beach buggy - painted with purpose by Pankind, Kirri Harvey and Mardi Lloyd of Phillip Island are already turning heads and sharing their story, in honour of Kirri’s late husband of 23 years, Andrew Harvey, who lost his battle to pancreatic cancer.
Andrew was diagnosed on his 60th birthday, and he passed away on July 15, 2024. “He had no symptoms; we were on the road in outback Queensland, when Andrew woke up with a yellow tinge to his skin; it was shortly after that Andrew was diagnosed with stage four cancer,” said Kirri.
“He went through two rounds of chemotherapy, the first lasting six months and the second lasting three months, before I lost him.” “Most pancreatic cancer patients pass away within three to 12 months after diagnosis, and it’s for this reason that Mardi and I are trying to raise awareness.”
With no early screening tests and symptoms that often appear too late, pancreatic cancer remains a devastating diagnosis. Kirri and Mardi are determined to change that, one mile at a time. Their souped-up buggy, adorned with pancreatic cancer awareness graphics – thanks to Ricky at Neto Graphics, is a rolling billboard of hope and remembrance. “We’ve already met so many people, those who have heard our story and shared their own,” said Mardi.
This journey began with a chance encounter at a roundabout in Cowes, after a blue beach buggy caught Kirri’s eye. “When I was 16 and working in a hardware store, a woman in the office who was 10 years older would come to work in a yellow beach buggy, and I always thought it was cool,” said Kirri. “I hadn’t actively sought one out until now, when I went home and found this 1967 convertible in Western Australia (WA).”
Deciding to transform grief into a mission of awareness, Kirri and Mardi thought, "Let's do it”. They landed in WA on Tuesday, October 14, and are making their way back to the coast, one conversation at a time.
Kirri shared that Andrew was her world. “We did everything together, we worked together, and spent all our time together, we’d moved from the Hunter Valley to Phillip Island and kept to ourselves,” she said. “When I lost him, my world fell apart.”
Travelling through her grief, Kirri decided not to be alone and joined the Rhyll Pickleball group. It was there that she met Mardi. “We only met eight months ago, and on this trip, we’re having the best time.” Support and friendship are helping Kirri through this journey of loss and unwavering hope.
Their upcoming “Put Your Foot Down” walk on November 22 at the Phillip Island RSL promises to continue their mission, and together they’re inviting the community to wear purple and stand against this aggressive disease. “Our focus is on raising awareness and pushing for early detection research.
“Pancreatic cancer has only a 5% survival rate past five years.”
Help Kirri and Mardi raise awareness and donate to Pankind to help improve outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients. Visit, https://fundraise.pankind.org.au/fundraiser/meltully/kirri-and-mardiy--s-great-purple-drive-
