Walkers are stretching, limbering and getting their active-wear prepped for a life-saving walk this Sunday.
The BDO Arrow Experience, hosted by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, is a fundraiser for cancer patients in FNQ, through the Foundation’s Cancer Care Hub.
Michelle Hoult is the highest fundraiser so far, with more than $1900 raised.
Ms Hoult said she was taking part in the event as her first training walk for Everest Base Camp in December. “I really like that it’s supported with guides and medics along the way so that’s reassuring,” Ms Hoult said.
“I’m really lucky with the fundraising that I have such a supportive family here at SafeTCard, our family business and they have all supported me. And a lot of our business contacts have been touched by cancer and they’ve been very supportive as well,” she said.
“My family has supported one of the other events, the QSuper Cardiac Challenge and we just love that when you support the Foundation, all the money stays local and supports the local hospital, which we all need at some point.”
Foundation CEO Gina Hogan said more than 190 people would take to the Arrows on Sunday, doing either the short or long course.
This year’s BDO Arrow Experience will be on Sunday, July 2, with funds to go to the Foundation’s Cancer Care Hub campaign. Taking patient care to the next level is the catch-cry of the campaign, which will mean more cancer patients will receive their treatment locally rather than having to travel south, they will live longer as new treatments are discovered, they can be treated more effectively, chemotherapy manufacturing will be expanded on site and inpatients will have better outcomes in their treatment experience.
“There has been a 40% increase in cancer activity at the Liz Plummer Cancer Care Centre in the past five years. This is because of the vast array of cancer treatments now available – people are living longer with cancer rather than dying prematurely,” Mrs Hogan said.
“Walking the Arrows with your family or friends, while fundraising for an amazing local cause, is an incredible way of having fun and making a difference. Sadly, the latest data indicates one third of the population will develop cancer during their lifetime so we know this project will make a significant difference in our community. We strongly encourage people to sign up to walk the Arrows and help cancer patients in our region.”
• The BDO Arrow Experience will be on Sunday, July 2. Sign up at www.arrowexperience.org.au Registrations will be welcome on the day from 6.30am.
Photo: Foundation CEO Gina Hogan and highest fundraiser (to date) Michelle Hoult get their steps up, ready for this Sunday's BDO Arrow Experience.
