A team of 12 Ballarat cyclists are taking part in the annual two-day, 520-kilometre Murray to Moyne charity cycling event to raise money for Ballarat's own Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute.
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Led by Jim Waight, Jimmy's Licorice Allsorts are hoping to raise $30,000 by taking part in the Murray to Moyne charity relay cycling event, riding from Swan Hill to Port Fairy.
Mr Waight was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's follicular lymphoma, a form of blood cancer, in November 2019, undergoing six cycles of chemotherapy since he was first diagnosed before going into remission in June 2020.
While Mr Waight enjoyed the physical, mental and emotional benefits of cycling before he became ill, he said his diagnosis only amplified them.
It became more and more clear to me that the only thing that I need to do here, I can't do anything but fight it, that's the only thing that's left.
- Jim Waight
"Even at the height of my chemo treatment, I couldn't really physically cycle that much but it was something that I looked forward to and almost like a reward for the end of the week when I finished the chemo," he said.
"Getting up at five in the morning, getting dressed, getting ready, having breakfast, and going out, it was also about the ritual of your normal life that it just kept me focused and kept me feeling that this was okay."
Upon learning of his diagnosis, Mr Waight said he had words of his father saying 'get up, get in and have a go' echoing in his mind.
"It became more and more clear to me that the only thing that I need to do here, I can't do anything but fight it, that's the only thing that's left," he said.
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"I decided it might get my body, it might get me physically, it might destroy my body, but it's never going to get my mind.
"The thing that I can do, and I don't know how well, but I can cycle. So I can use that to raise funds to bring about a cure, hopefully."
Over the past 30 years, the Murray to Moyne has attracted more than 30,000 riders and raised $20 million for health charities across Australia.
The Ballarat-based Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute is the only regional research centre in Australia and relies on community support to continue its research into cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Mr Waight said the team was proud to support the worthy cause.
"Our team, coming from Ballarat, is very proud to support the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute because it's a part of us, it's who we are in our town," he said.
"In the end, it's not about our team but it's about the work of the Fiona Elsey Cancer Institute, which will only benefit future generations of people who are suffering this disease."
To donate, visit jimmysallsorts.com.au
