I’M RIDING IN MEMORY OF My Family Member, Sarita

In December of 2019, my beautiful, young, and wonderful sister-in-law, Sarita, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) of the thymus. Sarita was an incredible person with a huge sense of community and an unstoppable drive. She founded the Scottsdale Hiking Group, which has grown to more than 7,000 members. Together, Sarita and Neil explored every possible treatment option, but tragically the cancer was inoperable because of its location around her heart and lungs. Sadly, Sarita’s story is not unique. In just the past six months, two of my close friends have lost family members to pancreatic cancer. Yet there is hope. In the five years since Sarita passed away, cancer research has made remarkable progress. New treatments are being developed that can stop cancer cells from “hiding” from the immune system, helping to shrink tumours and improve outcomes. Experimental therapies for pancreatic cancer are also showing promising results, offering hope where there was once very little. Around the world, researchers are working tirelessly to find better treatments—and ultimately cures—for cancer in all its forms. Here in Perth, the Perkins Institute has been leading that fight since 1998, conducting world-class research that is changing lives and giving hope to families affected by cancer. That is why I am once again taking part in the MACA 200—a ride of more than 200 kilometres to raise funds for the Perkins Institute so they can continue their vital work. I truly believe that ongoing research will one day spare families the grief, trauma, and heartbreak that cancer causes. I would be incredibly grateful for your support. Any donation, no matter the size, will help make a difference. Small contributions add up quickly, and together we can help fund the research that brings us closer to a future without cancer. Thank you for your generosity and support.