Tamworth locals are lacing up their sneakers and hitting the gym for a 24-hour endurance event to raise awareness and life-saving funds for what is known as Australia’s national cancer, melanoma.
On 29th November, locals are invited to Tamworth gym REVFIT where they can participate in keeping five bikes active consistently over a 24-hour period. The event, titled ‘REVFIT’s 24hr Melanoma Marathon’, is being organised by gym owner Adam Brook, a Stage IV melanoma survivor. What’s more, Adam will be running 8kms every three hours – a total of 64km – as well as participating in the bike element of the event.
“For two years I would drive an eight hour round trip to Newcastle every three weeks for my immunotherapy treatment, and so I wanted to incorporate those numbers to up the challenge, given that this is the fifth year we’re running this event,” said Adam.
Five years ago, at age 27, Adam was diagnosed with Stage III melanoma after his hairdresser pointed out a new mole on his head. This was surgically removed, but three months later it was found that the melanoma had spread to his liver, meaning he’d progressed to Stage IV. After two years of immunotherapy, Adam now has no evidence of disease.
“Fitness and health are a big part of my life, and I believe played a huge role in my recovery, both physically and mentally. I’ve worked in the fitness industry all my working life and opened REVFIT in 2021. It’s been amazing to have so much community support for this cause that I have such a strong personal connection with,” said Adam.
“This event is about having the mental strength to push through, even when you don’t want to.”
“We’re donating all funds raised to Melanoma Institute Australia, whose mission is to reach zero deaths from melanoma. If this event can change one person’s sun safety behaviours, or if the funds raised can help save one life, it’ll be worth it,” said Adam.
Proceeds raised by community fundraisers such as ‘REVFIT’s 24hr Melanoma Marathon’ support melanoma research, which also impacts other cancers, and are a great way to spread sun safety messaging throughout the community.
Australia has the highest melanoma rates in the world. One person is diagnosed with melanoma every 30 minutes and one person dies from the disease every 6 hours. It is the most common cancer affecting 20–39-year-old Australians.
“Changing attitudes towards tanning and improving the community’s understanding about prevention, early detection, and year-round sun safety is crucial to stopping more lives being cut short by melanoma,” said Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) CEO Matthew Browne.
“It’s community-led fundraising initiatives such as these that fuel our life-saving research at Melanoma Institute Australia, and which also spark crucial conversations.”
Donate to ‘REVFIT’s 24hr Melanoma Marathon’ and help raise life-saving funds at https://challenge.melanoma.org.au/page/REVFITTAMWORTH or come and watch the action from 10am Saturday 29th November at REVFIT.
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