backing every rider, every km
At the MACA Cancer 200, Yellow Flag Riders stand as a powerful symbol of unwavering strength and resilience in the face of cancer.
These extraordinary individuals, who proudly display yellow flags on their bikes and wear yellow flag pins at Mandurah Camp have confronted or are facing cancer head-on, demonstrating remarkable dedication to funding breakthroughs in cancer research.
Traditionally, the MACA Cancer 200 begins with Yellow Flag Riders leading the pack out of Optus Stadium on route to Mandurah. Embodying the spirit of triumph and progress in the collective fight against cancer.
The Ride welcomes participants personally affected by cancer to acknowledge their personal journey of determination.
Meet some of the Yellow Flag Riders who have conquered the Ride.
"IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING THIS POWERFUL."
EMMA HASTIE
TEAM FITI50
I was first diagnosed with melanoma in 2012, while 22 weeks pregnant with my second daughter. I believed it was behind me, until it returned ten years later and hasn’t stopped since.
Over the past few years, I’ve faced multiple surgeries, failed immunotherapies, targeted treatment and was forced to step away from the teaching job I loved.
Cancer didn’t just affect me, unfortunately it affects my whole family. In 2021, my mum was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and suddenly we were navigating two cancer journeys at once. It showed me how deeply cancer touches everyone around you and why finding the next breakthrough is so important.
Right now and thankfully I’m cancer-free, but living with uncertainty. That’s why I ride.
I ride for research that gives families more time—time to live fully, to hold each other close, and to keep moving forward.
TARYN JOHNSTON
TEAM CRACK CYCLING
In 2023, after some persistent encouragement from a close friend, I had my first mammogram at 48, a decision that may have saved my life.
That scan revealed early-stage breast cancer. Hearing those words was devastating and filled me with fear about what lay ahead.
Not long after, I underwent a unilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. The surgery was successful and thanks to early detection, no further treatment was required.
I am proud to ride as a Yellow Flag rider to honour my cancer journey and the reality that anyone can hear the words, “It’s cancer.”
I ride with Team Crack Cycling alongside my husband, Paul, who first signed up after his mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. Together, we understand how vital targeted treatments and access to care are. And we return each year because we can see the real impact our fundraising has on cancer research.
"IT'S A WEEKEND OF SMILES
JOY AND HOPE."
"I RIDE TO ENSURE THERE ARE
FUNDS FOR GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH."
LUKE CHARLESWORTH
Team CharlesLal
I know the reality of living with blood cancer. After being diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2019, I went through intense treatment and I’m now in remission. But as someone who was diagnosed at a young age, I also know how critical research is for what comes next.
CAR T-cell therapy could change everything for people like me. It gives me hope that one day, conditions like mine won’t be considered incurable.
Riding with a yellow flag matters to me. I want to show others that cancer isn’t always a death sentence, there is hope and that you can come back from even the toughest moments.
That’s why I ride and why supporting cancer research at the Harry Perkins Institute matters.
NIC WILSON
TEAM WESTPAC RETAIL
A trip to the doctor for a check-up felt like nothing to worry about. But when I mentioned that I had been passing blood, I underwent further testing including a colonoscopy and was given the shocking news, “You have bowel cancer”.
I was floored.
What followed were tears, sleepless nights and surgery that removed 25% of my bowel. Thankfully, my cancer was confined to my bowel however the surgery led to a complication where I couldn’t eat for over a week. I was also told to prepare for six months of treatment and eight rounds of chemotherapy.
What they say is true, chemo is rough. Blistered feet, brain fog and new side effects appeared during each cycle. It meant I had to stop my life as I knew it, including my fast-paced job. My gorgeous wife Megan helped me through those hard days, she was my rock through my treatment.
My family and friends, including my Ride teammates were just incredible. The support I received from all of them helped me to keep going and kept me focused on still completing the Ride in 2023.
It was my challenge that I not let cancer beat me. It’s such an unfair disease and I know now how vitally important it is to raise funds for research at the Perkins.
The Ride brings out the best in people and I am hooked. I will be riding every single year that I am physically able to.
"EVEN WHILE GOING THROUGH
CHEMO I WAS DETERMINED TO
COMPLETE THE RIDE."
honour your journey
Are you a rider who has first-hand experience with cancer?
The Ride warmly invites you to acknowledge your journey, whether past or present by receiving a yellow flag. The yellow flag symbolises your fight with cancer and how many years you have fought this disease.
As a yellow flagger you will also receive a yellow lapel pin that you may proudly wear and an invitation to lead riders out of Optus Stadium to start the Ride weekend.
