Stacked pack rides for cancer

“Cancer touches almost everyone at sometime and the aim of the pink motorbike ride day is to raise awareness and much needed funds for research onto finding a cure,” said organiser of the annual pink motorbike ride, Mary Laing.

“The ride was a huge success with over 120 bikes participating and around 200 attending the finishing event at the Long Flat Hotel.  

“The hotel provided the food and volunteers for the BBQ and donated the takings of $700 to the cause.  

“To raise money on the day we sold raffle tickets and merchandise with an outstanding $3500 being raised overall.  

“There were prizes for best dressed male and female, rider + pillion, and best dressed bike.  The mid north coast turned on the finest weather for the day.  

“This was the first pink ribbon ride that my sister Suzanne Naylor and I have organised and we look forward to next year’s event being equally as exciting.  

“The event will be held on the 3rd Saturday in October each year.  Of course we could not have done this without the support of many volunteers on the day, the ride co ordinators, marshals, cooks, Mandy and Howard who did an excellent job selling the tickets etc.  

“Also a big thank you to Judith, David and Craig Sonter from Long Flat Hotel for your support and donations on the day.  

“This event would not be possible without the generous donations from local business. A very big thank you to all of our sponsors.

“To everyone who attended, supported, donated or  volunteered for this fabulous event, without you this would not have been possible.”

Make a date for the girls

Jane Walsh Director BreastScreen NSW’s North Coast, is encouraging women aged between 50 and 69 years to book a mammogram if they have not had one in the last two years.

“October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the perfect opportunity to ask yourself, your girlfriends, mother, grandmother, sister or daughter - have you had a mammogram in the last two years? If not, it’s time to call 13 20 50 and make a date for the girls,” says Ms Walsh.

According to the Cancer Institute NSW, one in nine women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, but if detected early women have up to a 97 per cent chance of survival.

Screening clinics are available at Port Macquarie and the mobile unit visits more rural locations. Even though family history of breast cancer is a risk factor, Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of the Cancer Institute NSW, Professor David Currow, says the majority of women who develop the disease do not have a family history.