7thRIDE FOR RED RIDE FOR RED

Gronks Social Riders Club is revving up their engines once again for a good cause. The club is showing their support for Cancer Council Queensland’s Do It For Cancer Campaign by hosting their annual charity event, Ride for Red, on September 30th. This marks the seventh year of the event, which aims to raise funds for cancer research and assist those affected by the illness.

Since the Ride for Red’s inception in 2017, the event has raised around $45,000 for the cause. The club was inspired to start the event after losing a close friend to brain cancer. They have since made it their mission to give back to their community and support those fighting cancer.

Gronks Social Riders Club extends their heartfelt thanks to all their supporters in the past years, as well as to this year’s sponsor, Geoff Cavanagh from Wamuran Timbers.

Riders and cars will assemble at the Big Fish Ampol Service Station Caboolture at 8:30am before departing at 9:00am to kick off the charity ride. The first stop will be at the Peachester Café Bakery for coffee and the first raffle, followed by a $15 lunch at the Dag Pub. Participants will then depart for the Bribie Island Hotel for the final leg, where a $25 dinner will be served. The hotel will also be the venue for auctions, multi-draw raffles, and the drawing of the major raffle, which is kindly donated by Hervey Bay Tourist Centre & Hervey Bay Discovery Park.

The major raffle prize includes a Whale Watch Half Day Tour for two adults along with a 2-night stay in a Deluxe Safari Tent with Discovery Parks, Hervey Bay for first prize, and a $50 gift card for second prize. Tickets for the raffle will be available for purchase at the Cancer Council Markets in Brennan Park, Bongaree on Sunday August 6th, and at the final stop, Bribie Island Hotel.

In 2017, the very first Ride for Red had 27 bikes and 6 cars participating, raising just over $1600. In 2020, 69 bikes and 10 cars helped raise $9010, and last year in 2022, 50 bikes including cruisers, sports bikes, adventure bikes, and trikes, along with 10 cars of supporters raised $8000. The event saw riders travel from as far as Ayer, Bundaberg, and Sydney, and supporters ranged in age from 13 to 78 years old. Organiser Gary Blake said “The Ride for Red is a fun day and is the best way he could think of to remember a great mate and raise funds to hopefully find a cure for cancer. Everyone has been touched by this horrendous illness and what better way to help than to jump on your bike, go for a ride, buy some raffle tickets and have fun.” “Last year we received such positive feedback regarding the comradery and diversity of people and bikes, we are so grateful to be able to help contribute to such a good cause” he added.

There is no registration fee, meet at the Big Fish on the 30th September at 8:30am, receive your red ribbon and set off for a fun day buying a few raffle tickets throughout the day and later on joining in the fun at the Bribie Island Hotel for raffles, auctions, dinner and music. For more information about this year’s Ride for Red, people can contact Gary Blake 0407 570 651 or visit the Facebook page “Seventh Annual Memorial Ride For Red”. Donations are accepted on the Do It For Cancer website at www.doitforcancer. com.au/fundraisers/helenweir/2023-ridefor-red or simply scan the QR codes.

BreastScreen Queensland’s mobile service is back at Bribie Island Library, Bongaree until 11 August 2023 offering free breast cancer screening for women 40 years and over.

Queensland women have one in seven chances of being diagnosed with breast cancer by the age of 85. This means that women can’t afford to skip breast screens.

“It can be hard for women to find time for themselves but it’s important they do, ” said Dr Lisa Hammerton, Acting Clinical Director of BreastScreen Queensland Sunshine Coast.

“A breast screen takes around 30 minutes, and one every two years could literally save a woman’s life and ensure they are there for their family in the future,” Dr Hammerton said.

“What screening does is bring forward the time at which breast cancer can be diagnosed, so that the cancer can be found when it’s small, confined to the breast and hasn’t spread to the lymph nodes.”

To make it easier for busy women, appointments are available from 7.30am so women can book an appointment before work. There are also appointments up to 5.30pm on some days.

To make an appointment call 13 20 50 or visit breastscreen.qld.gov.au. Doctor’s referrals are not required.

• 75% of women diagnosed with breast cancer are over 50. Younger women do get breast cancer, but the risk of breast cancer increases dramatically after the age of 50.

• 9 out of 10 women diagnosed with breast cancer have NO family history of the disease. While women with a family history of breast cancer are more at risk, most women diagnosed have no family history of the disease at all.

• A breast screen every two years is the best way to detect breast cancer early, well before you or your doctor can feel anything.