Riding for cause very close to heart
AFTER a fierce battle with leukaemia this year, Cameron Stephenson says he is ready to ride the Tour de Cure in October.
The Tour de Cure is a 1400km bicycle ride from Newcastle to Noosa, over nine days, to raise money to help find a cure for cancer.
“I was diagnosed in November last year and started chemo in early March,” Mr Stephenson said.
“I had a bone marrow biopsy a few weeks ago and I’m in the clear for now.
“My brother is also having chemotherapy for bowel cancer.”
A cause close to his heart, Mr Stephenson has been training hard for the Tour de Cure, preparing for 14,000m of climbing.
“I’m still on the build I’ve ridden about 300km in the last seven days,” he said.
“I cycle from Rangeville to Oakey and back for work once a week and I will step that up to 2-3 times a week.”
The Chronicle asked Mr Stephenson what he was looking forward to the most about the epic ride.
“I’m looking forward to the end,” he joked.
“There’s a lot of big hills in there.
“I’m not a good climber, I’m good on the flat and the downhill.”
In order to take part in the Tour de Cure, participants have to raise $12,000, including a $1000 personal donation.
To help fundraise for his ride, Mr Stephenson is holding a luncheon on August 21 at the Downs Club.
“Ben Roberts-Smith is the special guest for that,” Mr Stephenson said.
“I was going to have Mark Beretta as the MC but we can’t get him up here because of the border closures. But we’re still going to try and get him over Zoom to interview Ben and myself..”
Ben Roberts-Smith is a former Australian Army soldier and Victoria Cross recipient.
For tickets or more information visit www.trybooking.com/book/event? eid=641469&