WITHCOTT man Neville Black helped raise $140,000 for prostate cancer research thanks to Rosewood Lions Club who helped pay the rally’s entry fee.
It cost just over $1,500 to enter the Bourke to the Bay rally and the Rosewood Lions Club stepped in with a $1,000 donation.
Then Neville did as he promised … raised money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
But why is a man from Withcott involved with two stalwart Rosewood organisations?
Withcott to Rosewood is a 47 minute commute but Neville had something more important in mind when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and that was hope and support.
“When I was first diagnosed in 2009, it was the third Thursday in February, and my wife and I looked for support groups using the internet,” he explained.
“I missed our local one’s meeting by two days but the Ipswich one was on that night.
“We went to Ipswich and have been going there ever since.”
He explained it was better to talk to other people than look to the internet for answers.
“The group’s convenor Dennis Ellis is really good and knows a lot of people,” he said.
“He has been good for the Ipswich support group because he is a master at getting people to make donations to the group for raffles and different events.”
The Bourke to the [Hervey] Bay rally is an eight day event through some of the best known towns in outback Queensland.
Entrants drive their cars in a convoy and make sure to stock up on food and good vibes at the towns they pass through.
“There are a lot of people supporting us with meals like the different Lions Club and Country Women’s Associations,” Neville said.
“We make sure to support these smaller towns on our way through.”
His car is a Nissan Triton ute and it gets very dusty after travelling through some of the drier country.
At the start, rally drivers meet at Bourke for registration, then head to Cunnamulla, Charleville, Barcaldine, Longreach, Emerald, Agnes Water and finish at Hervey Bay
Most men who are diagnosed die with the disease rather than from it, but there are complications and a risk the cancer could spread elsewhere.
Prostate cancer can metastasise and find its way to the bones, lymph nodes, liver and lungs.
This is why understanding the risk and regular testing is important as is joining a support group if diagnosed.
One in five men can expect to have prostate cancer in their life so there is a good chance most people are going to know someone with it.
“It is not necessarily a death sentence, but it can be, however there are PSA tests available and other medical interventions,” Neville said.
“I didn’t do this year’s rally as I am unwell but hope to take part again next year to continue raising money for research.”