Over a year and a half
ago, I had just gotten home from a really nice walk with my girls (Hayley only
a baby), when my sister Chantelle called to tell me that her husband had been
diagnosed with cancer. I remember being really shocked. I had visited them in
their Alice Springs home only the month before and at that time Daniel was at
peek fitness, riding his bike to and from work everyday, as well as other
exercise. I really didn’t know what to say in that moment.
After a much shorter
period in Alice Springs than they had expected and hoped, Chantelle, Daniel,
and their two beautiful daughters moved back to Adelaide so that they would
have the family support they would need while Daniel went through chemo and
surgeries to fight his cancer. Thankfully that battle was won and he is in
remission, but it has been a long and hard journey for their whole family… and
that’s only what I can observe as a third party – I can only imagine what it
would be like to go through the initial uncertainty of what lay in store, then
the reality of chemotherapy and other treatments, as well as other changes
necessary in order for the spouse who had cancer to recover.
I want to say that
Daniel has gotten through all this with grace and good humour and, although it
was not lacking previously, my respect and admiration for him has grown as I
have watched him over this time. This can be said for my beautiful sister also.
As you probably know,
this weekend Adelaide hosted it’s first Ride to Conquer Cancer (benefiting the
Flinders Medical Centre), and despite obvious difficulty Daniel decided to jump
on board, and then formed a team as he was joined by my husband, Jonathan, and
my Aunty Glenyse and Uncle Brian. I was proud of all of them for raising the
money they did, and happy for my husband to do it, but I don’t think I realised
the power of an event like this – to the community, and for its participants
individually - until I was there watching it all take place. There are a few
things I would like to say about it.
First of all, the
power of community; perhaps some of the riders had the foresight that I lacked
but I got to thinking while driving home after the conclusion of this race… and
wondered whether the individuals who signed up thought it was a nice idea, and
a challenge they’d like to take on, but that their fundraising contribution
wouldn’t actually be that significant. Well that’s the power of community; over
400 people decided that finding a cure for cancer was worthwhile enough,
important enough, or vital enough to ride 200km over two days; Many others
agreed that the cause was great, and volunteered to help in other ways; People
in organisations were willing to provide the food, water, overnight
accommodation, etc. to make it happen; yet others contributed money to the cause; and because of this collective effort A
MASSIVE $1.6 MILLION dollars was raised to aid cancer research. That is
enormous, and if I recall correctly, the biggest fundraising campaign in South
Australia EVER. As individuals we may not have a lot of power, but as a community we can make a LOT of difference.
I got to wishing that
I could have volunteered in some capacity over the weekend, and then I thought
– well, it did impact on me for one of those riders to participate, but I
thought it was important enough to do what it took to let it happen anyway…
being in a community means different things for each member of it. – As an
aside, Jonathan tells me that the crew made the ride a great experience!
I have also had cause
to reflect on what a wonderful family I have – immediate and extended. My Aunty
and Uncle came all the way from Mt Beauty to participate, and brought road
bikes as well as the expertise to ensure they were well maintained. I can’t say
enough about the difference this made – it was the difference! My sister ran from checkpoint to checkpoint with
her girls to cheer Daniel and the team on all day for two days. (Not literally.
That would be crazy. She drove of course.) It has been one more way she has
been a great wife to her husband in his journey. Chany, today and throughout the time since Daniel was
diagnosed, your inherit qualities of love and compassion have shined through –
I have been told throughout my life that I am like you - and for that I can hold my head high! Daniel’s parents, my mum,
my sister Kathryn and her family, my brother Adam and Teresa, and other Aunties
and Uncles all joined the journey at some point or another over the course of
the weekend. I was sitting at the finishing point for day one for a considerable
amount of time yesterday, and there was definitely no individual or group that
got a larger cheer than Mixed Nuts! The Howes also had my girls overnight
Friday to make it easier for me to be at the start with Jonathan. I really love
that I have family around me who strengthen, encourage, support and cheer each
other on. That’s what families are for.
The last observation I
have brings me back to where this post began. The Ride to Conquer Cancer was
challenging for all of its participants, but none more so than the cancer
survivors. I probably can’t do justice to what I want to say, but Daniel, you
have inspired me in many ways. Thinking about what Daniel achieved today and
everything that it took for you to get there, I say to myself, ‘If I have
challenges, I can face them. If things are hard going, I can face it with
positivity. If it feels to difficult, I won’t give up.’ You really are one of
my heroes, and I’m proud to call you brother!
This year’s Ride is over, but there’s still
time to donate. Over the past few decades cancer research has come so far, and
those diagnosed have much better chance of survival – but there is still work
to be done. If you are in a position to donate, please do... but if not keep an
eye out for The Ride to Conquer Cancer 2014, and help anyway you can!
