Don’s buzzing to ride

WHAT does lip balm, leather balm and honey, have to do with life-saving medical equipment?
For Don Anderson, everything as the keen amateur bee-keeper sells the proceeds of his hobby to assist his fundraising for the QSuper Cardiac Challenge.
“I was mowing near some beehives and I just started feeling ordinary. No chest or arm pain, just really ordinary,” Mr Anderson said.
“I got home and my wife called the ambulance who were amazing. They took me into where they do the cardiac procedures and I actually had a heart attack on the table,” he said.
Fortunately the team of paramedics, doctors and nurses were able to use the tools at their disposal (many provided by the QSuper Cardiac Challenge) to produce a great outcome.
“I just cannot overstate how grateful I am to that team, to still be alive,” he said.
Afterwards, he attended the cardiac rehabilitation program and was inspired by Pete McNally, the cyclist and heart patient who instigated the ride 18 years ago.
“I had a chat to him and decided it would be great to aim to take part in the Cardiac Challenge and I did – this year will be my third and I love it.
“I’ve discovered a new network of friends, I think my health is in a pretty good place and it feels great to help make a difference to other people through my participation and fundraising.”
Mr Anderson’s annual fundraising efforts are partly comprised of selling honey, leather balm, lip balm and beeswax wrap kits.
Hosted by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, this year’s QSuper Cardiac Challenge is the 18th time cyclists have saddled up to ride to Cooktown in support of cardiac services.
Foundation Fundraising and Marketing Manager Glenys Duncombe said Mr Anderson’s story was not unique.
“We often hear incredible stories of how the cardiac unit here has saved people’s lives and it is wonderful when they go on to participate, fundraise and give back to the unit that gave them back their life,” Ms Duncombe said.
Since the first ride in 2007, more than $6 million has been raised to support rural hospitals and improve the quality of care they offer to patients in the region.
The partnership with QSuper, part of Australian Retirement Trust, enables 100 percent of funds raised in the QSuper Cardiac Challenge to support the purchase of state-of-the-art medical equipment in the region.
Australian Retirement Trust Head of Government and Regions Patrick Twomey said, “We’re proud to have sponsored the event since 2020, and last year was our first experience of our own team taking part in the riding challenge. We’ve been counting down the days to mark our return this year, with the QSuper Cardiac Challenge being a great example of the community coming together to improve the outcomes of those in the region.”
“It’s incredibly rewarding for us to see the impact the funds raised for the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation have on increasing access to vital health services in these communities.”
The QSuper Cardiac Challenge will run from September 14-16. To find out more about the challenge visit https://cardiacchallenge.com.au/.
Support Don’s fundraising at: https://fnqhffundraising.fnqhf.org.au/cardiacchallenge2024/m/don-anderson/Member/Details