A father and son team, Bob and Matt Turner, both cancer survivors and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, cycled in the four-day, 600km “Smiling for Smiddy NSW Challenge” in February and early March. They raised $5,000 dollars in sponsorship.
From the NSW Central Coast, Bob and Matt attend the Ourimbah Ward of the Newcastle Australia Stake of the Church and overcame great personal obstacles to ride together to raise donations for cancer research.
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Friends told them about the charity bike ride, “Smiling for Smiddy”, which is in memory of Adam Smiddy, who passed away at the age of 26 to an aggressive melanoma cancer. Colleagues of Smiddy began the race in 2006 as a fund raising charity. Since then they have raised over $3 million for cancer research.
The Turner family has always made it a priority to find ways to help others, whether in the community or in their own extended family. “Our Church regularly organises community service projects, so the cycle ride was a natural extension of what we do as Latter-day Saints,” said Matt.
Bob and Matt had both experienced their own battles with cancer. In 2012, Bob Turner was diagnosed with a metastatic malignant parotid tumor (a cancer in a gland in his neck) that had probably spread from a skin cancer on his head or face. This led to a lengthy operation, then 28 sessions of radiation which eventually caused severe burns to the left side of his face, neck, shoulder and back.
Bob’s cancer treatment was completed only four months before the race, leaving him in a weakened state. Despite his discomfort he had committed to take part in the 2013 charity bicycle ride with his son. “I was determined to keep this commitment even though I was in a lot of pain,” said Bob.
At 64 years of age, he was delighted to be able to say that he had ridden over 600 kms during the course of the four-day charity event.
Matt had a Clark level four melanoma on his right shoulder, which had spread to nine lymph nodes under his right arm. Surgery and recovery made it very difficult for the sport he loved - bicycle racing. Yet he, too, relished the opportunity of participating in the charity ride.
Bob and Matt began their ride in very hot weather conditions. “We were to ride from North Ryde to Norah Head on the Central Coast - a distance of 152 kms. At about 95 kms, I suffered severe leg cramps,” Bob said. “I literally couldn’t take one step, so I had to ride in one of the support cars for a while, a very humbling experience.”
But such a setback didn’t keep Bob down. “I recovered enough to continue with the ride during the last 30 kms for that stage of the program,” he said.
On the second day, temperatures reached 37 degrees with 158 kms to complete. On days three and four, the rain set in and never stopped. But the ride continued. “We were wet and cold, but we continued until we finally reached our destination back in Sydney on 2nd March,” Bob Turner exclaimed.
“Our group had over 35 riders, some strong and others not so strong. They all had hearts of gold,” said Matthew Turner. “The acts of kindness, support, and encouragement touched our lives. Charity and kindness was ever present and I felt a great spirit of love for these wonderful fellow cyclists, who have become true friends.”
It was the goal of each rider to raise $2,500 in sponsorship. It was an emotional experience seeing the sacrifices of those contributing result in over $250,000 being raised in this year’s event.
“It was one of the most arduous and painful things I have ever done, but I would not trade this experience for anything,” said Bob. “I was constantly reminded that there are many wonderful human beings around; they may be a little rough around the edges but their hearts are pure and their motives entirely selfless.”
“I know that living the Word of Wisdom, a health code that Latter-day Saints adhere to, has helped my stamina over the years. I have endeavored to live this law on a higher level and I know this helped me throughout the ride.”
“I saw acts of Christ-like love on the ride, stopping to help fix flat tires, minor accidents with bloody knees and elbows needing first-aid, and several other acts of service. All those memories will stay with me forever,” said Bob. “In the Book of Mormon King Benjamin said, ‘When you are in the service of your fellow beings you are only in the service of your God.’”