Young women with breast cancer take to the highway!

**dan_tom** · 13th October 2005, 04:38 PM

Hi everyone

For those of you with an interest in women, Harley Davidsons and raising awareness of breast cancer (now you've gotta fit into at least one of those categories!

)....

I would like to announce a very special event that is happening starting on October 23rd till October 30th. It's called Changing Gears and it is about young breast cancer survivors taking their courage and determination to overcome their treatment (mastectomy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, tamoxifen etc etc) and take to the road.

Harley Davidson have generously sponsored the ride and provided us with 20 motorcycles to ride from Sydney to Brisbane. If you would like to wave us off, come down to the Coogee Bay Hotel on Sunday morning and tell us your story and give us your encouragement!

If you are interested in meeting the riders and learning more about the ride, go to www.changinggears.org. For more information and support about the issues that young women with breast cancer face (ie: older women aged in their 60s and 70s don't have the added concerns of returning to work, childcare, future fertility concerns, etc), contact your local cancer council. I am involved from a psycho-oncology perspective from the Queensland Cancer Fund and happy to answer any questions that you have with regards to the ride ([email protected]).

The last day is a Pink Ribbon Day ride from Brisbane to Mt Tamborine, with 1000 motorcycles in convoy - quite a spectacle of sight and sound!

October is Breast Cancer Month. No matter what your age - encourage your loved ones to be "breast aware" and get any changes checked out by your GP as soon as possible - particularly young women....

Cheers
Dan

**RufflyRustic** · 13th October 2005, 10:03 PM

I won't be able to make it to wave them off, shame, it would be an impressive sight, knowing the background.

Wishing them a most relaxing, enjoyable and safe ride.

cheers
RufflyRustic

**bitingmidge** · 13th October 2005, 10:33 PM

Almost makes me want to have one of those operation thingies! :eek: :eek: :eek:

Have a great trip, and now that you've started a thread, you are pretty much obliged to post piccies and a daily report!

Cheers,

P

**kiwigeo** · 14th October 2005, 12:12 AM

Best of luck with the ride Dan.

Cheers Martin

**Harry72** · 14th October 2005, 01:36 AM

Good luck for the trip, a very worthy cause.

**Jim Carroll** · 14th October 2005, 08:55 AM

Best of luck for the trip

**dan_tom** · 14th October 2005, 10:02 AM

Thanks everyone. I have been doing pre ride interviews with all of the ladies and am really looking forward to late next week when we head out to Harley Davidson Blacktown to pick up the shining new Harleys! Vroom.....

Will definately post some pics. Whilst I am also conducting a research study (which should normally be deidentified) this event is quite a public one and photos will be taken of many of the women for publicity (see page 14 of the Courier Mail from Wednesday), so am not comprimising the ethics/privacy of the girls. The event is about raising awareness that young women can get breast cancer and also promoting the positive aspects of the liberation and drive that survivorship brings.

When faced with your own mortality at a young age, riding a Harley for a week up the coast is not so daunting!

Give us a wave!
Cheers
Danielle

**dan_tom** · 24th October 2005, 07:31 PM

Hi everyone

We picked up the Harleys and took to the highway, with a message of raising awareness of breast cancer in young women. Despite rain on the first practice ride and teaching the American women how to ride through a roundabout on the "other side of the road", we made it to the sunny and beautiful launch from Coogee bay on Sunday 23rd Oct. Joined along the way by supporting riders and local HOG chapters, here are some photos of the first few days of our adventure. So far, we have raised over $165 000 USD and are still going strong! The women are tired, but elated. Some have had bilateral mastectomies (removal of both breasts), some have had reconstructions, some have lymphodema (swelling in the arms after removal of the lymph nodes), and early onset menopause from the chemotherapy - but ALL have strength and determination! Faced with your own mortality at a young age, riding a Harley for 1000 kms is not such a daunting task!

If you are in Brisbane on Oct 30th and love to ride, join us for the Pink Ribbon Day ride from Griffith Uni to Mt Tamborine (organised by WIMA). This is the final leg for the Changing Gears girls and worth a look!

Cheers
Danielle

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