The Fight Against Cancer: One man’s 2-day, 200 km ride

(Newswire.net — August 26, 2015) Perth, Western Australia — Cancer is always in the headlines, as it doesn’t discriminate between rich or poor, famous and non-famous.

Just last week former President Jimmy Carter revealed he was battling cancer. And on Wednesday, actress Shannen Doherty announced she has breast cancer.

“Yes, I have breast cancer, and I am currently undergoing treatment,” the 44-year-old “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Charmed” star revealed to People “I am continuing to eat right, exercise and stay very positive about my life. I am thankful to my family, friends and doctors for their support and, of course, my fans who have stood by me.”

Her news hit the headlines the same day as a new report emerged suggesting early-stage breast condition may not require cancer treatment. For the some 60,000 American women each year are told they have a very early stage of breast cancer — Stage 0, as it is commonly known, there now appears that treatment may make no difference in their outcomes. Patients with this condition had close to the same likelihood of dying of breast cancer as women in the general population, and the few who died did so despite treatment, not for lack of it, researchers reported Thursday in JAMA Oncology.

Raising funds for this type of research is imperative in the war against cancer.

This is something Martin Howley, who is from native Ireland, knows all too well, having a personal link to the disease that inflicts people all across the globe.

Howley is trying to become the highest fundraiser for the 2015 Perth Ride held in October and has set a goal of $55,000. The ride, which benefits the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, is a two-day, 200km cycle in which every participant is required to raise a minimum of $2,500 in order to take part. On average, participants raise around $3,500. Martin, however, has so far raised $23,800.20.

And he believes it’s possible to reach his fundraising goal.

“It’s so important to me to raise the money,” Howley says. “I’m determine to meet my goal because the money is fueling cutting edge cancer research at this very moment.”

Howley has committed himself fully to his campaign on behalf of the Ride to Conquer Cancer, engaging in a diverse and multi-layered approach to his fundraising efforts. These efforts have taken him to Kuala Lumpur, where he secured a $13,000 donation from a business partner & became something of an Internet sensation in the process. Closer to home, he has rallied the support of the Irish-Australian community through the medium of An Sibin, a pub here in Perth.

A spokesperson for the Ride to Conquer Cancer raves about Howley’s accomplishments so far.

“Having come to know Martin through his involvement in the Ride, I have gained an insight into his passion, determination and commitment to the fight against cancer,” the spokesperson says. “Every time Martin achieves one of his highly ambitious fundraising goals, he himself moves the goalposts. More striking than this, though, is his willingness to step out of his comfort zone and advocate on behalf of families all over Australia who are depending on medical research to improve outcomes for their loved ones. In this regard, he is exceptional. “

Selfless acts like that of Howley go a long way in trying to find a much-needed cure for this deadly disease.

 

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