Alyssa Fritzlaff
A WARRAGUL man will be cycling for 24 hours straight to raise money for prostate cancer.
Ben Cadby will set off from Glengarry at 6am on Friday, April 1 and finish up on Saturday, April 2.
Mr Cadby, 37, launched Pedal 4 Prevention in order to raise money in honour of his partner’s father Laurie, who has been battling prostate cancer for nearly 13 years.
Laurie recently came off all treatments and medications to spend his last moments with family.
“He’s far too young to be at this stage – only 66 years old. We hope that through this event and by raising awareness of the disease, we will save other families from experiencing this heartache,” Mr Cadby said.
“As men we need to take our health seriously. We need to talk about prostate cancer. Get checked and ask for help when you need it. It could save your life.”
Mr Cadby is an avid cyclist and endurance racer, and will be covering approximately 700km during his 24-hour ride.
“I’ve cycled all across the world and Australia, but this will be my most meaningful and challenging ride yet,” he said.
“The pain I will experience from riding for 24 hours is nothing compared to the ongoing pain that Laurie, and men like him, experience when they are fighting prostate cancer.”
Mr Cadby said that he hopes the ride will help fight some of the stigma surrounding prostate cancer.
“It’s a bit of a taboo topic, the 50 to 60 year old generation don’t really like talking about it… we want talking about prostate cancer to just become a normal conversation,” he said.
Mr Cadby’s partner Christine Webb will be supporting him in the lead up to the big day.
She hopes the ride will help make a difference and open conversation around prostate cancer.
“If there was greater awareness about the disease, if more people talked about it and if information was readily available, my dad’s story would be very different,” she said.
“Our message to men is to get your PSA checked and keep a record of your PSA number. If there’s a change, make sure you follow it up.
“For partners and family members, please encourage the men in your life to get checked. Sometimes they need a little push, but it could save their life.
“My dad is still here to tell the story today – but we know that we don’t have a lot of time left.”
Mr Cadby is thankful for the support he has receive from family and friends.
“They’re all very encouraging, and Laurie is all for it – he’s an incredible man… he just really inspired me to want to make a difference,” he said.
According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, each day 45 men are diagnosed with the disease nationwide.
To support ‘Pedal 4 Prevention’, visit: https://fundraise.pcfa.org.au/fundraisers/bencadby
