They're known as the Spencer Trifecta, Spencer 1, 2 and 3 or simply as Spencer.
Some might even call them the Three Amigos!
Regardless, Spencer Irvin, Spencer Grey and Spencer Hancock are all nurses within Cairns Hospital's cardiac unit and are all riding the Mount Franklin Cardiac Challenge this year.
While both Spencers Grey and Hancock have taken part in the fundraising event before, this will be Spencer Irvin's first time. “Everyone's been at me for a long time so I figured I'd better do it,” Spencer Irvin laughed.
Spencer Grey has been a medic on the event three times and ridden it once and Spencer Hancock took part for the first time last year.
Of the three, Spencer Grey is the most serious cyclist, having taken it up four years ago, but two years ago he became more serious about the athletic pursuit. “I would ride probably 100km a week and I'm always looking for more cycling events to take part in.” Six months ago he was diagnosed as a diabetic and now feels he wants to prove even more, how it doesn't have to stop people leading fit and active lifestyles.
Spencer Irvin and Grey both work in the cardiac catheter lab while Spencer Hancock works in the coronary care unit. “I love that we are doing something different every day and you can instantly see the positive impact that your work has on someone's life,” Spencer Grey said.
For Spencer Irvin, it is the immediacy of life and death. “One minute the patient is very unwell and the next minute you've had a positive impact on their health and outcome.”
Spencer Hancock says he enjoys working on the ward as he has the opportunity to follow a patient's progress through any and all procedures they have.
“They say that blokes are attracted to technical fields in nursing and I guess that's true of us. The work we are doing is really light years away from where it was 10 years ago. We are doing cutting-edge stuff and it's because of the equipment the Cardiac Challenge has given us.”
Foundation fundraising and marketing manager, and Mount Franklin Cardiac Challenge co-ordinator Glenys Duncombe said the event, now in its 10th year, always had strong support from Cairns Hospital cardiac unit staff.
“They support Cardiac Challenge as medics and participants and fundraisers and they know the event makes a direct contribution to patient outcomes,” Ms Duncombe said. Cardiac Challenge will be held from September 17-19 and while registrations are now closed, training and fundraising are in full swing.
To donate to any of the Spencers or any other Cardiac Challenge riders, visit www.cardiacchallenge.org.au/donate and search for the person’s name.
Photo: Spencer Irvin, Spencer Grey and Spencer Hancock are excited about riding in the Mount Franklin Cardiac Challenge this year.
