News & PR

In 2012 the Leukaemia Foundation received $70,000 from Tour de Cure to facilitate the delivery of the cornerstone of its patient education programs in the Leukaemia Foundation Annual Patient Conference. The Foundation is in the process of delivering these inspirational education seminars across the country, with the most recent conference in Victoria.

This was the state’s fourth annual conference which showcased the demand for education and information with in excess of 450 patients and their families in attendance. Thanks to the generosity of Tour de Cure the Leukaemia Foundation welcomed 22 speakers to the conference from health fields across Victoria and interstate. The health professionals presented disease-specific sessions as well topics including ‘The New normal post treatment’ and cancer rehabilitation.

New additions to the conference in 2012 were the disease specific sessions on myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) and amyloidosis, as well as three programs especially for parents of children diagnosed with a blood cancer. The conference concluded with a Q&A Panel involving a lively discussion led by three of Victoria’s top young researchers: Dr Andrew Wei, Dr Jake Shortt and Brian Liddicoat.

Feedback from the event has been extremely positive. The Victorian office is now in the process of undertaking a comprehensive review to help tailor the event in 2013 to the identified needs and interests of the blood cancer community.

Former Stawell man, Paul Egan, relished the opportunity to catch up with some old friends when he passed through the region on the annual Tour de Cure cycling event.

Tour de Cure is a gruelling event that takes riders over rugged terrain, through all weather conditions, to raise money to find a cure for cancer.

This year's 10 day Tour de Cure saw cyclists cover 1540 kilometres from Adelaide to Canberra.

The highlight for Paul was day five, which took riders from Horsham to Bendigo. Along the way, he was able to catch up with old friends and ride through some familiar towns.

"We made great time today and soon we were travelling through some of my old stomping grounds around Rupanyup and Marnoo," he said.

"It was great to see some old school friends out in Rupanyup and Marnoo to cheer me on. Suzanne and Julie came to dinner to surprise me and backed up their promise and came out to cheer me on the next morning as well. It was great to have that support to keep me going."

The longest leg of the ride also took cyclists to St Arnaud. Riders visited St Arnaud Primary School and did a presentation of Be Fit, Be Happy, Be Healthy.

Paul said in his internet blog that St Arnaud was the halfway point of the tour and while the body was feeling good thanks to all his training, soreness was starting to set in.

"So far my body is holding up pretty well. My legs are sore and my bum is hurting a bit, but I am determined to keep going," he said.

"One of the sayings around the peloton is: 'The worst day on the bike is far better than any day on Chemotherapy'.

"Just keeping those words with me has helped me push through the last few days."

Paul said on completion of the Tour de Cure, that it was once again a wonderful journey.

"What a wonderful journey this year's Tour de Cure was," he said. "For me it was filled with great friendships, challenging riding and wonderful memories. I feel a huge personal achievement of being part of the team that has raised over 10 million dollars in the last seven years for a cause that means so much to me.

"I have experienced the enormous satisfaction of riding more than 1500 kilometres in 10 days, something that I have been training for over the last six months, often getting up at 4am to go out on the bike so that I could be fit enough and ride well.

"I have felt the comradery of a team of people, from all different backgrounds, with all different roles and jobs, all riding for different reasons, but brought together for one cause and all working towards the same goal."

Article from The Stawell Times News. 17th May, 2013

We were thrilled to have Sir Richard Branson join some of our Tour de Cure members for a friendly bike ride around Centennial Park. We were even more thrilled to see he wrote about us in his blog! Read the blog post below:

I often talk about the benefits of keeping fit for business, happiness and health. Recently we had the opportunity to practice what we preach at Virgin Active and teamed up with some of the team at Optus to go for a quick pedal around the gorgeous streets of Sydney and Centennial Park. Besides having a near miss with one of Sydney's buses it was a spectacular way to start the day.

The Optus team have just completed this year’s Tour de Cure, riding a massive 1500km from Adelaide to Canberra through the Snowy Mountains. The Tour de Cure is a cycling charity in Australia that raises money for all types of cancer research, awareness and prevention. The team are wearing the bright pink jerseys to celebrate reaching $AUD10 million raised over the last seven years, quite extraordinary considering it started from a chat between two guys in a Sydney coffee shop!

What makes this charity unique is the grass roots nature of the community involvement. On the recent tour the Tour de Cure team visited 5000 school kids to spread the message of making the right choices early in life as one third of cancers have now been found to be preventable.

Cycling is just one of the great ways to fit being active into your daily routine. Since taking part in the Cape Argus in South Africa I have really got into it, especially in Australia recently. And, as you can see, I remembered my helmet this time!

By Richard Branson. Founder of Virgin Group
Go to the original blog post >

Cyclists and support crew rode into Meningie on Saturday for the third leg of the annual Tour de Cure Signature Tour ride for cancer research.

Locals and visitors cheered as the three pelotons cycled to the finish line at the Meningie Sailing Club at around 2pm.

Personalities such as sports commentator Mark Beretta and V8 Super Car drivers Jonathon Webb and Tim Slade were among the 118 cyclists who are raising money on the ride.

Most of the tour group were accommodated in Meningie with several requiring home stays with host families.

Some of the riders took the opportunity to visit the local football game and enjoy the famous Coorong mullet sandwiches.

About 160 guests enjoyed the Tour de Cure dinner held at the Meningie school hall on Saturday night.

Around $4000 was raised for the cause through lucky spins, a silent auction and a traditional auction.

The item which received the most interest was a plate of 14 homemade cream puffs which fetched a record sum of $750.

Other items to attract large sums were a signed Melbourne Storm cap which sold for $250, a Ford racing team shirt signed by Will Davison and Mark Winterbottom which went for $1300 and a handwoven hat made by Ngarrindjeri artist Ellen Trevorrow which brought $400.

During the evening a cheque for $5000 was presented to the Meningie Hospital which will provide a much needed bed and furnishings for palliative care ward.

Each night, the group presents five coveted jerseys to five deserving riders representing categories such as attitude, awareness and guts.

A pink jersey, awarded for inspiration, was given to one of the few South Australians in the ride, Patrick Carpenter.

Mr Carpenter then presented the jersey to local resident Marianne Cunneen for work in organising the Meningie leg of the tour.

On Sunday morning a segment was filmed at the golf course for the Tour de Cure documentary, to be aired on New Year's Day, with Mark Beretta and Geoff Coombes interviewing local breast cancer survivor Ashley Mason.

Mr Mason said about 100 men were diagnosed with breast cancer each year and because he sought medical help as soon as he found a lump, he was quick to have the surgery which saved his life.

Before leaving locals and riders enjoyed breakfast on the green and took part in a hole-in-one fundraising competition at the golf course while others visited a 12 hour dance-a-thon conducted by the Dancation dance group in the Lion's Jubilee Park.

The riders left the golf club in three pelotons, heading for Bordertown via the Woodswell Road to arrive in Canberra on May 5.

Article from The Murray Valley Standard, 29th April 2013.

The Huawei-sponsored Tour De Cure and Canberra Raiders have joined forces in support of Ronald McDonald House Canberra, presenting a $5,000 cheque to the charity at the conclusion of the Tour De Cure’s 2013 Signature Tour. Raiders stars Terry Campese, Sandor Earl and Edrick Lee joined Tour De Cure Co-Founder Geoff Coombes as the Tour De Cure donated $5,000 to the charity.

Mr Coombes presented the cheque to Ronald McDonald House Canberra Executive Officer Deirdre Brown at a ceremony in Canberra today. The funds will be used to assist in establishing a wall garden to grown plants and herbs for use in the house kitchen which will significantly enhance the outdoor area for those using the centre.

“We’ve had a tour here and seen the facilities, and we appreciate all the passion of the team who’ve built this little oasis that makes the cancer journey a bit more bearable,” said Geoff Coombes. “We hope this small contribution will go a long way to help the fight against cancer, we’re honoured to be able to be a part of it.”

“This is such a wonderful gift for the House as it will bring life to the outside area as well as provide an opportunity for families to participate in the ongoing care, sometimes it is the small things that offer a sense of normality in a time of crisis,” said Ms Brown. “We also have a number of volunteers keen to utilise their green-thumbs. Ronald McDonald House Canberra is so grateful and appreciative to have this support from the Tour De Cure and the Canberra Raiders, especially our Ambassador Terry Campese,” she said.

The donation follows the successful completion of the Tour De Cure’s 1,521km ride from Adelaide to Canberra, which raised over $2 million to go towards finding a cure for cancer. Huawei sponsored the Tour De Cure with a $50,000 donation and the Canberra Raiders have helped raise funds through competitions and giveaways during matches at Canberra Stadium.

At the upcoming match between the Raiders and the Newcastle Knights on Sunday May 12, Raiders fans will have the chance to win a Huawei Ascend Mate smartphone in a fundraising effort for the Tour De Cure. Fans can pitch in to help the Tour De Cure by participating in a charity ‘ride-off’ competition, where a gold coin donation offers the chance to win a Huawei smartphone for the person who cycles the furthest distance in 60 seconds.

“It’s great to have two of Huawei’s major sponsorships come together in a way which will really change people’s lives,” said Huawei Australia Corporate Affairs Director Jeremy Mitchell. “The Raiders have embraced the cause of the Tour De Cure and have helped raise funds for the cause, and we’re grateful for the Raiders fans who have been so generous in their donations.”

Raiders Captain and Ronald McDonald House Canberra Ambassador Terry Campese said he was proud to be on hand as Geoff Coombes from the Tour De Cure presented the cheque.

“As an ambassador for Ronald McDonald House Canberra I know how hard they work behind the scenes to bring light into the lives of families while they have children in hospital,” Campese said. “We’re grateful for the Tour De Cure’s generous donation to Ronald McDonald House Canberra, and I hope the Raiders own fundraising efforts will help the Tour De Cure in their mission to find a cure for cancer.”

Article from Raiders.com.au, 6th May 2013

Many riders in the 1500 kilometre Tour de Cure are nursing sore bottoms after stints on and off the Hume Highway this week.

That’s the down side, they say, of riding through country with few major hills.

The big cancer fundraiser rolled into town yesterday after a night at Benalla where organisers handed over a $5000 cheque for Camp Quality.

The night before at Bendigo, during another indulgent evening, they celebrated raising $10 million for cancer research, support and prevention since 2007.

At 4pm yesterday a 90-strong army clad in pink-and-black lycra was spotted at Albury’s Australia Park, playing cricket and football with Camp Quality kids.

And at a dinner at Rydges Hotel last night, they donated $5000 to Albury’s carer accommodation centre, Hilltop. They’ll do the same in all nine regional communities they visit.

For the riders, it’s been a chance to enjoy the nation’s countryside at the perfect pace.

“The country around here is absolutely beautiful,” one of the tour’s founders, Gary Bertwistle, said.

“We’ve had kangaroos on the road, sheep on the road and cattle on the road.”

The tour is less than $100,000 from reaching this year’s goal of $2.3 million.

The riders will stop at Khancoban and Jindabyne before reaching Canberra on Sunday.

Photo by: Mark Jesser
Article by: Aisha Dow
Article from: The Border Mail, May 3rd 2013

Students and staff at Camp Hill Primary School were paid a special visit by a group of cyclists yesterday, riding as part of the seventh annual Tour de Cure.

The group of 90 riders aim to cycle more than 1500km from Adelaide to Canberra in 10 days.

Since the tour started on April 26, cyclists have passed through Victor Harbour, Meningie, Bordertown, Horsham and Bendigo.

Riders visited the primary school early yesterday morning before they left for Benalla.

School principal Leonie Roberts said the student were thrilled to meet the riders and enjoyed an informative presentation on cancer awareness.

“Four bike riders addressed our students on the different aspects of healthy living and how to reduce the likelihood of cancer,” she said.

“It really helped to get the message across of the importance of healthy eating and regular exercise.

“It was a really positive experience for the kids.”

Ms Roberts said students and staff presented the tour riders with a donation of $478, which will go towards cancer research.

Article from: Bendigo Advisor, May 2nd, 2013

Hawkesbury Hospital has been given $5000 to support local cancer patients thanks to the hard work and dedication of local businessman Brett Camm.

Mr Camm, the owner of Pilequip at Vineyard, took part in the inaugural cancer fundraiser Tour de Cure Ironman challenge in Melbourne in March.

To enter, each participant had to raise $2000 for cancer research and support. Mr Camm raised $50,000.

The event raised a total of $170,000 and as Mr Camm raised the largest individual sum, Tour de Cure rewarded his community with a $5,000 cheque to Hawkesbury Hospital.

"It's pretty awesome," Mr Camm said.

"It came as a surprise to me, I didn't find out until after the race during the presentations." It took Mr Camm just five months to raise the money, calling on support from friends and suppliers in his industry.

He said he also exceeded his expectations when it came to his performance in the gruelling Ironman event, finishing it in under 10 hours.

The Tour de Cure directors and Mr Camm presented the cheque to Hawkesbury Hospital on Tuesday, April 9.

Tour de Cure also runs a cycling tour each year to spread the message of the importance of providing support to those living with cancer and to raise vital funds to help the fight against cancer and to improve survival rates.

This year's Tour de Cure cycling tour started on April 26 in Adelaide and finishes on May 5 in Canberra.

By Anna Yeo
Hawkesbury Gazette. May 1, 2013

As seen on Channel seven’s Sunrise program, the cyclists left Adelaide on Friday travelling to Goolwa and staying overnight before heading off for Meningie on Saturday morning. The first of the three pelotons arrived at around two in the afternoon to a rousing reception at the Meningie sailing club.

Channel seven sports commentator, Mark Beretta was in the first group to arrive and was soon mingling with the crowd getting to know the locals along with the other riders. The second and third pelotons were not far behind and also received a warm welcome. Also joining the group was a number of personalities including V8 super racing car drivers Jonathon Webb and Tim Slade.

Most of the tour group took up all the available accommodation in Meningie with several people requiring home stay beds for the night. Host families were there to greet their billets and make them welcome.

While most of the riders went on to their prospective accommodations, some took the opportunity to visit the local country football game with the Meningie Bears taking on the Jervois Bluds at Meningie. The visitors were welcomed at 'Frogs Bar' and mingled with the locals while enjoying Ashley Mason's world famous Coorong Mullet sandwiches.

Around 160 guests enjoyed the Tour de Cure dinner held at the Meningie school hall on Saturday night. During the dinner around $4,000 was raised for the cause through lucky spins, a silent auction and a traditional auction. Donated items for the auction included tickets to Crows and Port Power games, accommodation packages and signed feature items. The item receiving the most interest however, was a plate of world famous Leanne Biddle cream puffs. The fourteen cakes fetched a record sum of $750, that is $53 each! Other items to attract large sums of money were a Melbourne Storm cap signed by several of the players which sold for $250, a Ford racing team shirt signed by Will Davison and Mark Winterbottom which went for $1,300 and a very special hand woven hat made by world renown Ngarrindjeri weaving artist, Ellen Trevorrow which brought $400.

During the evening a cheque for $5,000 was presented to Linda Henderson representing the Meningie Hospital by Tour de Cure's Heidi Bramburger and Jan Cameron. Ms Henderson said that the money will provide a much needed bed and furnishings for their palliative care ward at the local hospital.

Each night, the Tour de Cure group present five coveted jerseys to five deserving riders, who proudly wear their jersey during the next day's ride and pass it on the next winner the following evening. The five different coloured jerseys represent the five categories; (BLUE for 'Gutts'), (PINK for 'Inspiration'), (YELLOW for 'Attitude'), (ORANGE for 'Doer'), (GREEN for 'Awareness') and (WHITE for 'Focus').

Four of the jerseys were presented to the prospective riders with the pink jersey for inspiration left for last. This jersey was presented by Patrick Carpenter, the previous day's winner and one of the very few South Australians in the ride. On presenting the jersey, he explained how he had been keen to bring the annual event to South Australia and that it travel along the south coast and through Meningie because he loved this area. He went on to talk about the phone call that he made around eight months ago to find someone in Meningie who could co-ordinate the Meningie part of the event. He then proceeded to award the most coveted 'Inspiration' award jersey to a very surprised and shocked Meningie co-ordinator, Marianne Cunneen, the person who took that phone call. Mrs Cunneen says that she was humbled by the presentation and felt that it was a team effort with the whole community getting behind the event and taking on the various tasks required to put something as big as this together.

After the dinner provided by the Meningie Progress Association, and official proceeding were completed, Adelaide based band 'Nothin' to lose' headed by Marcus Toope, who provided their services for free kept the crowd dancing and entertained.

On Sunday morning everyone was up and about before light preparing for the team's departure. During the morning a feature segment was filmed at the golf course for the Tour de Cure documentary, to be aired on New Year 's Day and repeated on 7 mate during January. Mark Beretta and Geoff Coombes interviewed local breast cancer survivor, Ashley Mason for the documentary.

Mr Mason said that around 100 men are diagnosed with breast cancer per year and because he went straight to the doctor on finding the lump, he was quick to have the required surgery to save his life. He said that is important for men to check for lumps as well as women and to see a doctor immediately on finding something that is not quite right.

Before leaving, locals and riders enjoyed breakfast on the green and took part in a 'hole in one' competition at the Lake Albert Golf Course with money raised also going to cancer research while others visited a 12 hour dance-a-thon conducted by the Dancation dance group in the Lion's Jubilee Park.

One 'Day Of Inspiration' guest rider, Sebastian Terry was eager to attempt the hole in one with it being one of his 'bucket list' goals. Unfortunately, the hole in one still remains un-ticked on his list.

The riders left the golf club to a cheering crowd in three peloton groups, heading for Bordertown via the Woodswell road and on to Canberra to arrive on 5 May.

Photos; 1. 2. Woodswell resident with Mark Beretta. 3. Mark Beretta, Seb Terry and Geoff Coombs attempt a hole in one at the Lake Albert Golf Club. 4. Breast cancer survivor, Ashley Mason being interviewed by Mark Beretta and filmed by the channel seven crew for the Tour de Cure documentary. 5. Breast cancer survivor, Ashley Mason being talking to the crowd and being interviewed by Geoff Coombes while being filmed for television. 6. Julie Benjamin and Heidi Bramburger presenting the $5,000 cheque to Linda Henderson from the Meningie Hospital. 7. Tour de Cure rider, Patrick Carpenter presenting the pink jersey for inspiration to Marianne Cunneen of Meningie. 8. V8 super car driver Jonathon Webb with his $750 cream puffs. 9. Glenn Hill with his new Ford racing shirt he paid $1300 for. 10. Marianne Cunneen meets Mark Beretta after receiving her pink, inspiration jersey. 11. 12 hour Dance-a-thon participants; Tiffany Casanova, Lilly Schulz and Isobel Schilling from Coonalpyn with, Jenna Williams, Elysha Williams, Abby Hood, Holly VandenBrink. 12. Tour de Cure riders Paul Egan and Justin Pratt far right and left with their billet hosts Kevyn and Inge Rorke, centre. 13. Mark Beretta and the riders ready to leave Meningie.

Article from The Lakelander, Meningie. Saturday April 27th, 2013.

STAWELL - Former Stawell man, Paul Egan, will pass through Horsham and St Arnaud as he takes part in the annual Tour de Cure ride.

The ride commences today in Adelaide and Paul will be among cyclists from across the nation taking part and raising funds to help find a cure for cancer.

Day four will see Paul's team cycle 163 kilometres from Bordertown to Horsham, where they will stay overnight.

The next morning, there will be appearances on Channel 7's Sunrise program, as the riders speak to students at St Michaels and St Josephs Primary School in Horsham.

Riders will depart at about 8am and head to Marnoo Park, before continuing on to the St Arnaud Primary School and then onto Bendigo.

This will bring the total kilometres travelled that day to 228, making it the biggest day on the tour. In total, the Tour de Cure will see riders put their bodies to the test over 10 days, covering 1540 kilometres.

The final leg will be from Jindabyne to Canberra. Paul said he had been training hard for his fourth Tour de Cure and he was looking forward to the challenge once again.

"Training has been really good," he said.

"I was having some trouble with a calf injury, but that has settled down well and I'm happy with that. I'm feeling good really."

Paul admitted that the ride had crept up very quickly, even though he feels he has trained harder than previous years.

"It did sneak up a bit quick. The ride is very daunting, but I feel as though I have been training for quite a while so I'm ready for the challenge," he said.

Admitting that he wasn't even a rider before he took part in his first Tour de Cure, Paul said the event meant so much to him.

"I was determined to make a difference as through my family and my work colleague Kathy Parton, I had been touched by cancer."

Paul said riding in this year's Tour de Cure meant as much to him as when he completed his first epic ride. "It still means as much today as when I first rode in 2010," he said.

"Losing Kathy last year brought it right back to the fore.

"When I send out emails to my supporters, I always get feedback from people that they know of someone with cancer. It's usually either a family member, or even themselves.

"When you look at it that way, cancer really is at the forefront every day, so every year, it's not only a physical journey for me to take part in the ride, but an emotional one as well."

Paul said he realised his body would suffer over the next 10 days, but it will be worth it in the end.

"There are so many people lost to cancer. So many people living, fighting, struggling with cancer, some winning and some losing. We need to do something to cure cancer. This is my something.

"The early morning training rides, sore body, heavy eyes, it's all worth it. This cause is just so worth it."

People can donate to Paul's effort by going to www.tourdecure.com.au and searching for Paul's name in the top search. In the meantime, Paul is looking forward to catching up with as many supporters as possible as he makes his way through the Wimmera on the gruelling Tour de Cure.

Article found on Stawell Times, 26th April, 2013: http://www.stawelltimes.com.au/story/1459354/pauls-epic-journey-commences-today/?cs=1536