In 2006 a young man named Adam Smiddy passed away from an aggressive melanoma. One of the many ways in which this remarkable man has been honoured by his friends has been through the establishment of the Smiling for Smiddy phenomenon to raise funds for cancer research through the sporting endeavours that Adam loved. Through the Brisbane based Mater Foundation, Smiling for Smiddy is helping to fund
research in melanoma, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer and breast cancer and to date over $13 million for cancer research and patient care has been raised by regular people like you and me. In 2011, Rory Flood, the remarkable man in my life also passed away from melanoma. At the time of this devastating diagnosis we were told that the treatment for melanoma had unfortunately not changed in 25 years and the outlook was poor. Mercifully, this is no longer the case, and Smiling for Smiddy is continuing to fund the research that underpins that change. Since 2011, I have seen a novel treatment for melanoma go from an idea in a doctor’s mind to a publicly funded drug. I've witnessed the lives of friends and melanoma and cancer patients saved and prolonged through other innovations. I know our efforts do make a difference. In 2015 I joined the Smiling for Smiddy family and cycled from Brisbane to Townsville, and 2017 I rode the 1600km home again. I have committed to ride the Smiddy Challenge South Australia in 2024, but most importantly I’ve committed to raise funds for this incredible cause again. So many people came together in the most spectacular fashion and supported my efforts in 2015 and 2017......so let’s see what we can achieve this time?!?
