Every five hours a person is diagnosed with brain cancer in Australia.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Not only does the condition have low survival rates but, just like any cancer, its impact can be far reaching within a community.
Last September, former Guyra resident Michael Hartmann lost his battle with brain cancer.
Mr Hartmann grew up in Guyra and attended Hawkesbury Ag College before commencing work in Armidale with ABRI and later moving to Canberra to work with the Cattle Council of Australia.
He worked with Barnaby Joyce during his electoral campaign and was instrumental in securing funds for the dementia ward at Guyra hospital. He also assisted in the process of negotiations to release journalist Peter Greste from prison in Egypt.
Mr Hartmann was also a father of two, a husband and a keen cyclist.
Now, in a bid to honour his friend’s life, former Guyra resident Phillip Moffatt will be riding from the family property “Mount View” to Guyra after his ashes are spread over the land by a crop duster.
Supported by Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, Mr Moffatt expects about 50 riders to participate from Guyra and Armidale.
“I hope to be joined by Michael’s two sons with riders from the Guyra Cycling community along with participants from Armidale and Canberra,” he said.
“It will not be easy for me to undertake the ride as I am no cyclist.”
Mr Moffatt said nothing could prepare him for the loss of his friend.
“It was a devastating shock to lose such a great friend, the fact that the disease took Michael so quickly was devastating to all that knew him,” he said.
“It seems this disease has affected Guyra directly along with many other sad losses due to cancer.
“All we can do is raise money and awareness to help future victims and attempt to help the grieving process of those left behind.”
All we can do is raise money and awareness to help future victims and attempt to help the grieving process of those left behind.
- Phillip Moffatt
The ride will conclude in Guyra at 12.30pm on March 12, where lunch will be supported by Rafters and donations to the event.
If you would like to donate, go to the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation visit www.curebraincancer.org.au.