No-one wants to find out that one of their loved ones has cancer. But Ben and Rick Ramadge had one of the best responses imaginable.
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Last year, Kelly Ramadge received the devastating news that nobody wants to hear. She was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“I found a single lump in my left breast in March last year, and went through everything I had to,” Kelly said.
“I had it removed, had some radiotherapy, and I didn’t tell anyone because I thought it was okay; it was contained.
“When I got rescanned in November, (the doctors) found more had grown in my right breast. Then, when I had the PET scans and everything else, it had spread into my lymph nodes.
“At that point, any treatments like full-on chemo weren’t going to save my life.
“So, I chose not to have chemo. Because I'd rather make the most of what I’ve got than be sick.”
Around Christmas time, Kelly shared what was going on with her kids and family.
It was difficult for her to share, but her nephews Ben and Rick gave the best responses she could have hoped for.
“It was around New Year’s Eve, and my nephew Ben said, ‘We’re going to do something. We’re going to raise awareness; we’re going to do a fundraiser’,” Kelly said.
On Thursday, April 18, Ben and Rick Ramadge will set off on a 280km bike ride from Lilydale, Melbourne, to Scotts Beach, Cobram, to raise money for the Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA).
They’re stopping for fundraisers along the way at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Seymour, and the Peppermill Inn in Kialla.
Kelly said they decided to raise money for the BCNA because its focus hits a bit closer to home.
“We chose the BCNA as the organisation to raise funds for, because they’re a little bit different from the research side of things,” she said.
“They’re a resource for people that are going through breast cancer, and they support friends and families as well.
“There are great medications and treatments and things out there, but at the end of the day, people are going through this every day, and the BCNA supports them through all of that behind the scenes.”
Although the last few months have been difficult, Kelly said organising the fundraiser had given her something more positive to focus on.
“My symptoms are starting to be quite prevalent and they’re taking their toll,” she said.
“But at the same time, this whole thing is keeping me going and giving me a reason to get out of bed every day, because we just want to make a difference.”
There is a special reason why the final stop on the ride will be at Scotts Beach, Cobram.
“There’s a willow tree at Scotts Beach in Cobram, which is a personal, family area. My family’s been camping up there since before any of us were born,” Kelly said.
“My mum, my dad and my daughter, Chloe, who I lost to SIDS, all of their ashes are up there, at Scotts Beach, and that's where I’ll end up too.”
Rick Ramadge said that it had been difficult trying to find time to prepare for the lengthy ride, but he had managed to keep things in perspective.
“Ben and I are running a small business and have small families, so it’s challenging to find time to train,” he said.
“But you don’t get to find time to warm up for cancer.
“It’s going to be a challenge, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Although life has gotten in the way at times, there’s not a doubt in their minds that they’ll be able to get the job done.
“Training has slowed down at the moment, but we’ll get it done,” Ben said.
“I’m nervous and excited, and I can’t wait to do it.
“We want it to be the hardest thing we’ve ever done.”
Ben said he was looking forward to the challenge and was keen to raise as much money as possible for the BCNA.
“It kind of started out as a new year’s resolution thing (to raise money and awareness),” Ben said.
“I brought the idea up with my cousin, and he was keen to do it.
“I was going to do it with mates, but it’s good it worked out how it did. Keeping it in the family makes it more personal.”
Although Ben and Rick have set an ambitious $50,000 fundraising target, Ben said that every little bit counted, and any difference they could make to someone’s life would be worth it.
“Every bit counts. People sharing (Kelly’s story) could save a life,” Ben said.
“Seeing this could get a family across the line or encourage someone to get checked; you never know.
“If we can save the pain and misery of another family, then we’ve done something.”
Despite her diagnosis, Kelly is beyond grateful for the support she’s received from the community.
“These two guys are just your average young men with their small families, and it’s going to be a huge epic adventure for them,” Kelly said.
“I’m really blessed with the amazing support (we’ve received). It’s just bigger than I ever expected it could be.”
She’s hopeful that they will reach the fundraising target and make a difference in someone’s life.
“We’ve got potential to really make this happen and reach the boys’ target goal. They'd love nothing more,” Kelly said.
“We don’t want to do all of this without getting as much money for the BCNA as we can.
“Kudos to the boys for doing it, none of this would be happening without them, and what they’re going to do is just amazing.”
Ben and Rick Ramadge will leave Lilydale on Thursday, April 18, stop in Kialla at the Peppermill Inn at 2pm on Saturday, April 20, and finish their ride at Scotts Beach, Cobram, on Sunday, April 21.
Cadet journalist