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.
"ONE OF THE MOST INSPIRING ASPECTS OF THE RIDE IS SEEING THE TRANSFORMATION OF HOPE INTO ACTION."
SHARLYN DE ROZARIO
TEAM DE ROZARIO
Last year was my first-ever MACA Cancer ride. I started my cancer journey last December. Just a few days after my wedding in September, I found a lump in my breast.
I went to the GP, and when the tests kept coming, I was suspicious. I’m a nurse myself, and part of me just knew that something just wasn’t quite right.
Despite steeling myself, nothing can prepare you for hearing the words, "you have breast cancer".
With news of my diagnosis, I thought of my two small kids. I worried for them and what cancer would mean for our happy little family.
It was tough, I received surgery, chemotherapy and hormone therapy and while having treatment I discovered and signed up to the Ride.
I want my cancer to mean something bigger than my just my treatment. And I want to help more people like me to get the care they need.
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."
KYM MENZIES
team maca
In 2015, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Despite surgeries and treatments, the cancer spread to my right lung and resulted in Transverse Myelitis causing paraplegia. The doctors gave me five years, but I plan on surpassing their expectations. I have unfinished business, including participating in the Ride.
In 2022, my wife Jan and I planned to ride for the first time, but I ended up in the hospital due to a loss of leg sensation. My condition worsened, leading to an emergency bowel operation that saved my life. However, the ongoing effects of transverse myelitis did mean I would spend the next five and a half months in hospital.
Through the support of my family and the wonderful care by the staff at Fiona Stanley Hospital and Joondalup Health Campus I learnt how to walk again and strengthen my motor skills. With Jan by my side, I tackled and finished the 2023 and 2024 Ride.
"Fundraising for cancer research is more than just a cause for me, it's a personal mission."
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.
