Cycling through SA for cancer research
The Tour de Cure rides into SA this month, with a cycling event from Taliem Bend to Adelaide raising vital funds for cancer research.
Ride over 300 kilometres — raise over $305,000.
That’s the aim of this year’s Tour de Cure, SA Discovery Tour, which will see more than 100 riders and support crew travel from Tailem Bend to Adelaide, raising funds for cancer research, and local cancer treatment and support services.
Since 2007, Tour de Cure has raised more than $117 million for various projects across cancer research, support and prevention, contributing to over 1000 cancer projects and 177 breakthroughs in scientific research.
This year, the tour has partnered with the Flinders Foundation, which supports health and medical research and patient care across the Flinders medical precinct in South Australia, encompassing the Flinders Medical Centre, Noarlunga Hospital, the Repat Health Precinct, and other community health sites.
Flinders Foundation Executive Director Ross Verschoor says continued advances in cancer treatment and research are simply not possible without philanthropic endeavours and non-government funding, like the Tour de Cure.
“It’s getting tougher and tougher to secure funding,” he says.
“In some cases, you know, some research discoveries simply wouldn’t have been made unless it was due to generous individuals and organisations.
“It does require foundations like ours and organisations like the Tour de Cure to support cancer research so that they can make new discoveries that can be translated into improved outcomes for people with cancer.”
Ross says the Flinders Foundation works closely with communities on the ground to address the often-overlooked challenges people face throughout their cancer experience.
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“When you go through a cancer diagnosis or a cancer journey, people with cancer have so many unmet needs, and some of those needs might be related to diet, to exercise, to financial issues, to returning to work, they have psychological issues,” he says.
“Survivorship itself is a really big area of research, so you know, understanding what interventions can be provided to people so that they do live better, longer and happy lives.”
Tour de Cure will visit three regional South Australian schools, in promoting the tour’s ‘Be Fit, Be Healthy, Be Happy’ campaign. With one in three cancers being preventable, this initiative plays a crucial role in educating young people about cancer, demystifying the disease, and promoting healthy lifestyle choices that reduce risk factors.
Riders will also make stops in Tailem Bend and Mannum to present community grants to local cancer charities. Ross emphasises that grants like these “make a world of difference” to regional and rural services, which are often driven by small voluntary organisations, yet have an immense impact on those in the community affected by cancer.
The Tour will stop by Mylot, Nairne and Callington Primary School this year, to educate school communities about cancer prevention. Image: supplied.
Ross has been a dedicated rider in the SA Discovery Tour since its inaugural journey in 2019. He firmly believes in the power of “riding together for one purpose” to drive positive outcomes for the two in five Australians who will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85.
“What makes the SA Discovery Tour so special is that we do get like-minded people from all walks of life come together, and like-minded and focused on one thing — and that’s cancer and changing lives. And we have everyone from cancer survivors to cancer researchers to CEOs of major companies, all riding together as one over three days, and it’s really special,” he says.
“Everyone from a beginner right through to very experienced riders will be on the tour and, you know, that itself makes it special. No judgment, everyone truly lives the Tour de Cure caring values, and I can’t speak highly enough about the experience.”
The three-day 2025 SA Discovery Tour will kick off in Tailem Bend on Saturday 29 March. More information about the tour, including how to donate to the campaign, can be found the SA Discovery Tour website.