My name is Anna, I am 34 years old and I work with Cancer Research at the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research in Perth, WA. Everyday, I go to work and hope that that day will be the day that we find something ground breaking, something novel, that will make a difference for the thousands and thousands of people who everyday is diagnosed with cancer all over the world. But it's hard; it's an exceedingly tough challenge to try to make a difference. And yet, it's nothing compared to what people who are diagnosed with cancer will have to face everyday. The worry, the not knowing, and the fighting to beat their cancer. I have so far been fortunate enough to not have any close relatives being diagnosed with cancer but with the current statistics, that's not likely to hold up forever. This ride is my opportunity to try to make a difference, to challenge myself not only to ride, but also to most importantly, raise funds for pivotal cancer research.  

My closest encounter with cancer goes back to Sweden when I finished my work on Prostate Cancer. A few months before my family and I left to go to Australia in Nov 2008, my colleague was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. It totally devastated our research group and it all went very fast. Her chemotherapy made her very sick and we, her colleagues, paid regular visits to the hospital. To see the courage and the strength of her two young daughters during their visits to their mum was truly admirable and I hope that if I ever end up in the same situation, I'll be able to give the same amount of support. Shortly after our arrival in Perth, I was informed that she had passed away. The memories of her, and the hard working researcher that she was, will inspire and drive me during this race. 

So please, sponsor my ride for this huge task that lies ahead of us all. Every single dollar counts!

Anna