WHY I'M DOING IT
I’m a life long surfer. Having grown up in Queensland in the 1960’s and 70’s I’ve had plenty of skin cancers removed from all that sun exposure. My first mortal encounter with cancer was when my dear friend died of melanoma leaving two tiny children, at the age of 42. Now as I approach 61 years old I am deeply saddened by the knowledge of how young he was, to die at 42, with so much ahead.
Many years had passed with some brushes with cancer through friends and family and my regular trips to have skin cancers removed, some serious ones requiring deep incision and over 15 stitches.Â
I was hit with a terrible two years in 2019 and 2020. In the space of these two years we lost my sister in law from lung cancer at 54. This terrible loss was followed only the next year when we lost one of my nephews at 33! Also from lung cancer.
Age and personal experience has taught me that cancer is the scourge of our lives.
It kills indiscriminately and often, showing no mercy.
When I learned that I could use my love of surfing to support the incredible work of the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse I jumped at the chance. It’s such a wonderful way to express my feelings about the issue and since beginning I’ve had a number of friends say “the Lifehouse saved my life!” Stories of treatment and success are a great joy amidst the pain of loss. I’m going to do all I can to help the cause so I’ll be out there every day in February. For Michael, Debbie and Pete. For all of us.
My Achievements
Completed Registration
Share on Social
First donation
Self-Donation
Joined a team
Reached Team goal
My Updates
Short break
Thursday 8th Feb I'm back in the water after a short, 3 day break as I started my new job. I still have 5 days surfing in the first 8 days of the month and will be going hard to surf as many days as possible in February.
Day 1 Let's Go!!
Thursday 1st Feb
I’m back at it surfing every day in February to raise money for cancer research at the @chris_obrien_lifehouse Please check out my sponsor page on the @surfebruary website and give a little or a lot to help them in their wonderful work fighting cancer. I slather on the ocean safe Aussie sunscreen @wearefeelgoodinc to protect myself from the sun. I’ve had many skin cancers removed after a lifetime in the ocean and sun. Thankfully never a melanoma like the one that took my dear, dear friend Michael at 42 years old. Let’s get behind the lighthouse and “kill cancer” because “cancer kills”.
Share
Early Birds
Monday 4th Dec
Good work, Mic.