Saracen Mineral Holdings, Macmahon Holdings and Regis Resources will join other mining companies around Perth in October to support the MACA Cancer 200 Ride for Research, raising awareness of and funds for medical research in the fight to conquer cancer.
Now in it’s 8th year, the MACA Cancer 200 Ride for Research has already raised over $30 million to date, for the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.
Macmahon Holdings are joining the cause for the third year running, and have formed their biggest corporate team yet, with close to 50 riders participating, many for people in their lives affected by disease.
“I joined the Macmahon team to do my bit and raise as much money as I could to help the Harry Perkins Institute with their medical research. I recently lost someone; after being diagnosed with cancer he was gone just 20 days later. It really touched me and made me appreciate life. So this year I am riding in memory of my friend,” said Macmahon Underground Administrator Jess Bennett.
“I decided to do the ride to concur cancer when my brother in law was diagnosed a few years ago. He has had a bone marrow transplant and is on strong medication but their lives have been changed forever. I felt so helpless when my sister told me the news and I wanted to do something to help. Macmahon had already joined this great event the year before and so I decided it was a good cause and was something I could be a part of. So many have their lives cut short to this dreadful disease and this research is a way to slow things down and hopefully, eventually make cancer a thing of the past,” said Macmahon Facilities Manager Neil Hawkins.
Saracen Team Captain Wade McDonald said more participants had signed up as the company joined MACA for the second year in a row.
“Last year we had 13 riders and raised $65,000. This year we have over 20 riders from all our sites and are aiming for $100,000.
“It’s been great – we have more riders this year and we also have quite a few people who are helping out with the fundraising and team support. It feels like it really is Saracen in the ride – not just a few of us on the bikes. We would love the support of other mining companies so please help us out and donate or join the team!” said Mr McDonald.
New to both the team and to Saracen this year, Clementine Kohler said everyone had been keen to join the ride again.
“I couldn’t wait to sign up. It’s for a good cause and there is a lot of fun in getting the fundraising and the training done. We are all joking with each other about getting enough training in, but it’s getting us all active and I am really looking forward to the day as everyone who did it last year seems to have really enjoyed it,” said Ms Kohler.
In previous years several Regis Resources employees had participated in the event under the banner of MACA Limited, however in 2019 the company decided to put together it’s own team of nine riders and aim to raise at least $50,000 for the cause.
Over two days on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October 2019, the MACA Cancer 200 Ride for Research will see over 1,000 individual riders alongside community and corporate teams complete a 200 km round-trip trek from Perth city down the Western Australian coastline to Mandurah and back. The event welcomes participants of all ages, sizes and fitness levels. Flagged bike riders are easily recognisable, riding as either cancer survivors or current patients.
Every MACA Cancer 200 rider is also making a significant contribution to the cause, by fundraising $2,500 each to assist with cancer research at Perth’s Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research (HPIMR).
As one of the nation’s leading adult medical research centres, more than 450 research and trial staff at the HPIMR work together to defeat a range of major diseases affecting the wider community, focusing largely on cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.
Visit the Saracen, Macmahon and Regis team web pages to show your support and make a donation.