Media Release 14 August 2007

Posted 14/08/2007

Reverend Doctor Mel Macarthur is about to embark on the next journey in his quest to become, what is believed to be, the first Australian cancer survivor to circumnavigate the globe - by bicycle - by 2008.

Mel will depart on 20 August to cycle the equivalent of 123 marathons coast-to-coast across America to bring hope to the thousands of Australians living with cancer that they can still fulfil their dreams. 

Diagnosed in 2004 with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), a type of blood cancer, 61-year-old Mel is now in remission and can continue his around-the-world hopes.

Mel is concerned that, despite being the fifth most common type of cancer[i], NHL remains relatively unknown to the majority of Australians, and may seem like a life sentence to over 4,000 people diagnosed with the disease this year[ii].

“I have always had a passion for cycling and my ultimate goal is to bike across the world. When I was diagnosed with lymphoma I thought I had lost the chance to fulfil my life’s dream. Now I feel being faced with something as serious as cancer has made me even more determined to succeed, and to show other people living with NHL that they can still reach their goals,” he said.

Accompanied by his son Andrew, 27, the next stage of his global challenge will take approximately 84 days travelling from San Francisco to Charleston in South Carolina through rough terrain including Death Valley and the Grand Canyon.

“It won’t be an easy ride. We will be cycling through deserts in the summer heat, while finding accommodation with local churches, or camping in the really isolated areas. The temperature can drop at night to below zero so we have to be prepared for anything.

 “I’ve been given a second chance to fulfil my dream of cycling across the world. I have to have my treatment every three months but because it is a new antibody treatment it doesn’t knock me around like chemotherapy and I can hop straight back on my bike the same day,” he said.

A transcontinental cyclist, Mel has completed several extensive rides across the world. His first journey was in 1998 with a daunting cycle of over 12,000 km from Dublin, Ireland to Jerusalem, Israel, followed by the South Island of New Zealand in 2002.

Since starting his current treatment regimen for NHL in 2004, he has completed a number of journeys in Australia, including one of personal significance from Sydney to Uluru in 2006 where he departed from the Nepean Cancer Centre in NSW where he receives his treatment. 

The next leg of the global journey is from Moscow in Russia, to the boarder of Mongolia in May 2008, followed by the final leg from Perth to Sydney in September 2008.

Mel is an active member of the community, sharing his inspirational stories through presentations on ‘living with cancer’. He is also completing a doctorite on his cycling experiences through the Charles Sturt University.

~ends~

Issued by Edelman on behalf of Roche Products Pty Ltd
Roche has kindly donated the cost of a bike for Mel’s journey

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Edelman: