There is no doubt what motivates thousands of Australians who ride in Great Cycle Challenge each year – it’s knowing that fundraising for cancer research can save children’s lives.
Great Cycle Challenge, now in its 10th year, has raised more than $34m for the cancer research at Children’s Medical Research Institute. Every October participants choose how many kilometres they wish to ride and ask friends and families to act as sponsors. Every rider has the same mission: to fight kids’ cancer.
This time last year, Jamie Harvey was told he had terminal cancer, but he still took part in the Great Cycle Challenge to make people “think about living in the now’’ – but unfortunately the community has now lost one of its most devoted advocates.
“I can’t control what’s happening to me, all I can do is keep moving forward,’’ Jamie said last year.
“I’ve learnt in life what is important. At the end of the day most of the things we stress about aren’t that important. I enjoy sharing my story and talking about my struggles. It gets the awareness out there and makes people think about living in the now.’’
Jamie Harvey started out as a rider, like any other, keen to make a difference in the lives of children with cancer. Then in 2018, he was diagnosed with cancer, and it became very personal. He had a liver transplant, a bile duct reconstruction, chemotherapy, and radiation – recovering well.
Just before last year’s Great Cycle Challenge in 2021, however, the cancer returned, and he was declared terminal, but Jamie still rode on. In March, Jamie went downhill very quickly and died suddenly.
His phenomenal wife Jodee has started a team in his honour: Jamie’s Legacy.
“Right up until the end he was saying ‘I’ve got it,’’ Jodee said. “He was always such a positive person who would make the most of every situation. When he was diagnosed, he wanted people to see that it didn’t mean your life was over. He was only supposed to live for 12 months, and we got another four years with him.’’
Jodee said she is not a big bike rider but was grateful to those who were riding with her as part of the team and knows Jamie would have loved the idea.
“I am so proud to be doing this,’’ Jodee said. “The Great Cycle Challenge always put a big smile on his face, it was so special to him. I could never ride as many kilometres as him, but Jamie would be so touched that people are doing this in his memory.
“That’s the legacy he wanted – to inspire people to get out there and make a difference.’’
Cancer researcher at Children’s Medical Research Institute, Dr Daniel Bucio-Noble, has participated in Great Cycle Challenge for the last three years and greatly appreciates the Australian public’s support.
“Our institution depends on funding from the community. The work that we do in the lab is very important to understand this disease, and it would be impossible without supporters of the Great Cycle Challenge. We are very thankful.’’
Great Cycle Challenge can be done anywhere, anytime throughout October! You can hit the road or stay indoors on an exercise bike. You choose how many kilometres you aim to ride – be it 50, 500 or 5,000 kms – and how much money you’d like to raise – to help kids like Quinn.
Find out more here: greatcyclechallenge.com.au OR donate to Jamie's Legacy page: https://greatcyclechallenge.co...