If you see a gang of motorbike riders getting around on old posties bikes – don’t worry, it’s only a fundraiser to bring specialist prostate cancer diagnostic equipment to regional Australia.
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The Male Bag Foundation’s Big Ride will see 17 motorcyclists cruising the highway and they’ll spend the night in Griffith.
The Big Ride will leave from Melbourne and visit Deniliquin, Griffith, Finley, Parkes, Bathurst, Canberra, Wagga and Mulwala before returning to Victoria.
The ride will cover 2000 kilometres, and AFL legend David Parkin will be leading the Big Ride, and is a patron of the Male Bag Foundation.
Since 2013, the Male Bag Foundation has raised $850,000 and helps supply transperineal biopsy machines.
The machines use ultrasound technology to make biopsies easier and reduces complications arising from the procedure.
The machines are rarely found outside metropolitan areas, but the foundation has helped ensure patients in Ballarat, Bendigo and Bairnsdale in Victoria have access to one.
The goal for the 2018 ride is to raise enough money to supply another transperineal biopsy machine for regional NSW.
Griffith’s Prostate Cancer Support Group is helping support the foundation’s efforts.
Co-ordinator Barry Maples said Griffith was one of the areas of NSW which had among the highest number of cases of prostate cancer.
“We get medical specialists visit but because they don’t have access to specialist equipment here, patients still have to travel,” Mr Maples said.
He said patients who needed biopsies would have to get to Wagga Wagga, Canberra or Sydney for the procedure. Mr Maples said the support group would be advocating to get the machine located in Griffith.
On Sunday, the Prostate Cancer Support Group will be cooking up a barbecue dinner for the motorcyclists participating in the Male Bag Big Ride, and the public were welcome to join them.
The barbecue starts from 6pm at the Acacia Hotel on Sunday.
Declan Rurenga
Declan Rurenga was the editor of Griffith's Area News and Leeton's Irrigator until September 2023. Before landing at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, he reported news in Junee, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cootamundra.
Declan Rurenga was the editor of Griffith's Area News and Leeton's Irrigator until September 2023. Before landing at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, he reported news in Junee, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cootamundra.
