Ride For A Cure
12 years ago Yvonne Moon lost her best friend to ovarian cancer. Following the death of her dear friend, Yvonne started RoCAN – Rotary Against Ovarian Cancer. The purpose of the foundation is to raise funds and awareness of the disease which is often dubbed the “silent killer.” It is for this reason 35 cyclists including Compton Green Directors, Adrian Butera and Brad-Carlin Smith are participating in “Ride for a Cure” which is a 900 kilometre challenging ride through the Victorian High Country. The aim is to raise $100,000 which will go towards an early detection test for ovarian cancer and purchase of treatment chairs for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness Centre.
The cyclists departed on the 3rd March and braved the heavy downpour of rain at the beginning of their journey. “When the cyclists were leaving Williamstown they were escorted by police due to the weather conditions. It’s a hard journey but the cyclists are in good spirits and everyone is doing well,” Yvonne said.
Compton Green Director, Brad-Carlin Smith is on his fifth day of the extensive journey. “We travel to Mansfield and are bracing ourselves for 40-60km an hour winds this afternoon. The total distance I have travelled today is about 170kms which will take me to 800kms for the last five days. We are receiving a lot of local hospitality wherever we go and are spreading the message of the need to raise funds for ovarian cancer research,” he said.
Yvonne is extremely determined to educate women of this insidious disease. “The message which needs to be spread is that ovarian cancer is a silent cancer. Ovarian cancer can be confusing as women may experience similar symptoms associated with menopause,” Yvonne said.
In 2007 Yvonne was awarded an OAM for her efforts to fund ovarian cancer research. “We are improving funding research and have come a long way from where we were ten years ago. I will keep going until there is a test for ovarian cancer,” she said.
To donate: https://www.mycause.com.au/mycause/raise_money/charity.php?id=141
The Route
Day 1- Williamstown to Yea 146kms
Day 2- Yea to Wangaratta 168kms
Day 3- Wangaratta to Bright 143kms
Day 4- Bright Hill Climb: Riders can choose Mt Buffalo, Falls Creek or Mt Hotham 68-140kms
Day 5- Bright to Mansfield 170kms
Day 6- Mansfield to Healesville 142kms
Day 7- Healesville to Melbourne 62kms
