Wow what a day, even for a cancer cure ride

SOUTH Gippsland and Bass Coast turned on the best day in six months on Friday, November 18 to welcome 94 riders on the Tour de Cure organisation’s Vic Discovery Ride.

It’s a nice number 94!

In fact, it’s exactly the number, $94 million to be exact, that’s been raised by Tour de Cure for cancer research and support across a multitude of agencies and organisations, including the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, which is to be the recipient of the proceeds from the three-day Gippsland ride.

Co-founder of the organisation, Geoff Coombes, donned the distinctive blue lycra and joined the ride from Traralgon to Leongatha, on to Inverloch and then over to Phillip Island before heading across Westernport by ferry for a final day ride from Stony Point to Bundoora.

“We’ll raise $700,000 with this trip and we’re up over $90 million raised for cancer research now,” he said, taking a breather at San Remo against the backdrop of the Island’s iconic bridge.

“It just shows you what the generosity of the community is like, incredible really but then again, everyone knows someone touched by cancer.

“We started this back on 2007 with the ambitious goal of tackling cancer as a whole, head-on. People said we were crazy, that we’d be better trying target some area but we weren’t prepared to shy away from the enormity of the task.

“And the fact is, with the community’s incredible support, we’re winning.

“We’ve funded 90 scientific cancer breakthroughs, we’ve had 750 projects funded and we’ve handed out over $2.9 million in local cancer grants, including $10,000 to Bass Coast Health last night.

“We’ve got a presentation to make at Phillip Island tonight.

“We’re prepared to take the funds anywhere it can make a difference.”

Among those providing back-up and support for the riders was Kerryn Westcott, a scientist researching brain tumour cancer.

“As a researcher, its mind-blowing to think what an organisation like this has been able to do with community support.

“It’s all about the riders today, but it’s just so important to a lot of cancer research projects to get this sort of support.”

And the weather?

“Yes, I know, it’s fantastic,” said Kerryn.

Tour de Cure, which organises 28 walks, rides and gala events annually, in Victoria and several other states, isn’t about to stop doing what they do any time soon.

“We won’t stop until cancer does. With your support, we’ll continue raising money to fund the boldest research, the widest-reaching cancer prevention campaigns, and the support programs that make a real difference,” said Geoff.

Even if you didn’t make the ride, you can still donate to cancer research at the following website: https://tourdecure.grassrootz.com/vic-discovery-tour-2022/donate