On March 28th, 2007, exactly 2 months before the Tour de Cure departs from Brisbane, an executive breakfast was held in Brisbane at the Watt Restaurant in gorgeous Newfarm, overlooking the river. This breakfast marked a chance to bring together our amazing Brisbane sponsors, cyclists, charity partners and media for a chance to hear about the progress of the Tour de Cure and to be reminded what we're all doing this for.
Hosted by Tour de Cure cyclist and co-organiser Gary Bertwistle, guests were treated to a live rendition of Golden Guitar winner Drew McAllister's song "Along for the Ride", especially written about the Tour de Cure, and to be the first single on his next album. Everyone loved it, especially Geoff who seems to know every word off by heart already. Awww!
Guest speakers included Bronco's legend Kevin Walters, who spoke about losing his wife to Breast Cancer and the foundation he has subsequently set up; Australian marathon champion Pat Carroll, who works closely with Camp Quality, and Peter Dorner, a representative from Prostate Cancer Foundation in Brisbane, who talked of his own personal struggle through Prostate Cancer, and the importance of support groups for men.
Finally, Therese Elliot told her very inspiring story of survival through a very rare blood Cancer which started at the age of 10 and how much Camp Quality helped her and her family through that very tough time.
The crowd was visably moved when Therese shared very personal tales of her treatment, having to have six bags of blood transfused into her 10 year old body every day. The isolation she felt from her friends, being cooped up in a hospital for weeks and months on end, and the joy, comfort and acceptance she felt while attending Camp Quality.
The crowd was visably moved when Therese shared very personal tales of her treatment, having to have six bags of blood transfused into her 10 year old body every day. The isolation she felt from her friends, being cooped up in a hospital for weeks and months on end, and the joy, comfort and acceptance she felt while attending Camp Quality. All in all, the speakers really reminded everyone what this thing we call The Tour de Cure is all about. Everyone left feeling very inspired, well fed and loaded with FAB Vittoria Coffee!
MANY HUGE thanks to Sam Hollier for the great job she did organising the event. To Gary for his tremendous hosting and speaking, to Watt restaurant for putting on the gorgeous and delish spread for us, (http://www.watt.net.au/ - SUCH A GREAT RESTAURANT. A MUST SEE when in Brisbane) to Vittoria Coffee for the freshly brewed and beewwwwdiful coffee, to Star Marquees for putting up our specially designed Tour de Cure marquees, to TDC cyclist Ian Hogbin who drove up all the way from Coffs, to Drew McAllister for flying up to Brisbane to play for us, and for having his voice SPOT ON even at 8am in the morning, and of course, to our guest speakers, who made the event so memorable for everyone. Last but not least, THANK you to our sponsor Choice Hotels who organised overnight accomodation for us Sydneysiders while in Brissie at sister hotel, the Quality Inn in Hamilton. Great rooms and fantastic, accomodating staff. Thanks for coming "along for the ride" with us!
The Sydney breakfast will be held next week on April 4th at the Establishment, so see all you Sydney folk there! Should be another great morning!
Happy Trails,xx Dani
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