The People: Jan and John

John Carpenter and Jan Savage made me feel quite inadequate when I heard about the wonderful work they are doing.

When you are diagnosed with cancer the oncologist (cancer specialist) details the different treatments s/he can provide and the likely outcomes and side-effects of the treatment. These can be wide ranging, depending on your cancer. One of the problems for cancer sufferers in remote areas is that one of the things they must consider is travelling long distances for treatment. As treatment is intensive, this can mean trips of hundreds of kilometres every week or even every day. When you are having treatment, you cannot do this travel alone. The alternative is expensive accommodation near the treatment centre. Either of these can be beyond the capacity of people to pay.

John and Jan and a small group (including Neil) saw that this was preventing people receiving treatment that can be life-saving. They determined to build accommodation at the new Orange Base Hospital that was affordable and could accommodate cancer patients and their families. They have made a wonderful start to raising the money that is necessary and are relentless in their pursuit of more (people half way to Bathurst knew about their fundraising efforts).

The dedication of this Care West Committee will save lives.

John and Jan came to Orange Public School to see us off on the first day. We were humbled by their commitment and support for our project.

The photo is Jan (left) and John (right) with Jackie from the Orange office of the Cancer Council.

The People: Sue and Neil

We arrived in Orange on Monday night. Jan had written to a number of different places providing accommodation and Sue and Neil from The Cleveland B&B were very quick to offer us an overnight stay in their home. It was late at night before we met them and we had a very comfortable stay in a large bedroom with an ensuite. In the morning Sue insisted on cooking us breakfast. With over fifty kilometres ahead of us that day we didn't say no!

Sue and Neil's home is covered in art works by local artists. Mainly landscapes, they include some very high quality works. We saw a couple of Neil's paintings, he has an interest in painting and in digital photography where he is able to do things with technology that are beyond my skills. Sue cooked a delicious breakfast with the widest range of home-cooked jams you could imagine.

Both Neil and Sue were wonderful hosts. They neglected to mention to us that Neil was very involved with the Care West project for cancer patients from remote rural communities (see the next piece on John and Jan). So many people work quietly without ever seeking recognition for their work. Sue and Neil quite obviously fit this category. It was a privilege to make their acquaintance and we hope that we will be able to attend the opening of the Care West facility so we can catch up with them again and thank them properly for their generosity.

Photos

I'm still learning the new technologies. If you click on the link below it will take you to an album with far too many photos of the walk. If you had your picture taken at any stage it will be there somewhere. Happy searching!
http://picasaweb.google.com/bryan.mullan/Walkforcancer02#

Donations

A lot of people have caught up with Jan and me in recent days and given donations for the work of the Cancer Council. A number of schools have raised funds in support and a number of people have asked how they can donate. If you would like to donate, click on the Relay for Life logo on the right hand side of the page and it will take you to the Relay for Life website. If you go to Hills 2009 and find Castle Hill Public School team you can donate online.

The Following Days

Sunday saw the end of the Relay. The number of people that pressed on through the night or returned in the morning was very pleasing. They walked on until 10.00 a.m. and then the committee members and some faithful volunteers pressed on to clean up after twenty four hours or more on the go.

It was another successful Relay. With eighty teams the Hills Relay passed the million dollar mark for its eight years. It is wonderful to know that 87% of all money raised goes directly to research, public campaigns or programs to support cancer sufferers.

I spent the afternoon removing all the sponsors logos from the Forester before returning it to Denlo Subaru. The car had served Jan and I very well. I would not have made it without the Rockport shoes. I don't think I will ever buy another brand of shoes after this experience. I walked over two hundred kilometres in just one pair of shoes without them causing any blisters or discomfort. The Thorlos socks worked well with the shoes. If you are a committed walker, they are certainly worth the investment!

Over coming days I will be adding some word sketches of some of the inspiring people I met along the way.

Arriving at the Relay

After five days I finally arrived still in one piece. Not great for weight loss; I put on a kilogram over the five days.
The welcome I received was wonderful. I sat outside the Showground waiting for my appointed time. While waiting, I was greeted by about two hundred students and families from Castle Hill Public School. We waited for the police to arrive to escort us in and Jan led the way in the Forester closely followed by the police. (I can't wait to upload a photo of that one!) We followed the police car and arrived to a band singing a song that seemed to mention walking and my name fairly frequently. There was a least another five or six hundred people there to welcome me and I was interviewed on stage long enough to be able to tell a little of my story and to thank all the wonderful people who had supported me throughout my trek, especially Jan who had looked after me, arranged food and accommodation, provided medical care and refrained from running over me for five days. This is a truly remarkable achievement on her part.
I walked a couple of laps, talked to many people and then, at about 8.30, started cooking pizzas with Jan's team, Wesley Walkers. Following the pizzas we headed home at about 11.00. It was a great opportunity to tell many people about the fantastic work of volunteers and Cancer Council staff I had met along the way.
I have also worked out how to fix the photos, so I will be uploading them to some of the earlier pages. If we took your photo it will (hopefully) soon be on the blog near the relevant entry.

The Last Day

Set off early today to return to Penrith after spending the night in our own home. It is certainly more relaxing that way. An invigorating spa took away some of the aches from walking downhill all day yesterday.
At Panthers On The Prowl we met up with Andrew Penman and Richard Booth showed us the fantastic program Panthers support for kids who are not engaging at school. In a week that hasn't been good for League, Andrew, Jan and I saw a program that is doing wonderful things in its local community. It's great to get behind the media and see what this club is doing in an unpublicised way for its local community. We also met Zac, an under twenty player from Dubbo who currently is off with a shoulder injury; more of the good side of league.
Andrew and I set off for the first ten kilometres, which took us past St Marys. I was able to find out just some of the wonderful work the Cancer Council is doing to support treatment, prevention and research and about the initiatives taken in public health. I found myself full of admiration for someone who can manage such a diverse organisation and still retain close touch with the community.
I spoke again with 2BS at Bathurst and to the crowd at the opening of the Relay. The wonders of modern technology (and I can't even get the photos up on the blog yet)!
I have to finish now so I am not late to the Showground.

Wentworth Falls to Penrith

We had a great send off from the Tumour Terminators, students and staff at Wentworth Falls Public School. The Terminators go in the City to Surf every year to raise funds for children's cancer. They were a great group of kids with a real commitment to helping others. It was an inspiring start to the day.
The weather was again fine and the first few hours were marked by a wind of about thirty knots. Fortunately it was a tail wind. On a day when most walking was downhill with a tail wind, it seemed less of an effort until the shin splints set in. You can only walk down so many hills before the shins say "enough". I dropped a total of over five hundred metres today. Between the shins and the toes, I'll need quality recovery time tonight.
Thanks to Dr Paul I have been able to prevent a repeat of Wednesday night's hypothermia by looking after myself (or actually have Jan look after me) better than I did coming into Lithgow.
There was a footpath most of the way. It wasn't always cement and it wasn't always even, but after several days of walking into the oncoming traffic on the side of the road it was a blessing.
Lunch was an average hamburger at the side of the road near Springwood. Jan has had to scout ahead for meals every day to keep up my carbohydrates. Walking is a very time consuming activity and meals need to be short and sweet.
At Emu Plains we were met by Jan's very colourful and very loud friend Red. Red made sure that everyone within a hundred metres or so knew that I had walked there from Orange. It was a different, but enjoyable reception.
I am looking forward to the last day starting at Panthers On The Prowl. Dianne Langmack has been busy organising the start and I am looking forward to walking the first ten kilometres with Dr Andrew Penman, CEO of the Cancer Council of NSW. Andrew is walking with me to celebrate ten years of Relay for Life.

Lithgow to Wentworth Falls

The day started a little later than usual leaving Lithgow Public School at 9.30. We attended an assembly with all the students from Year Three and Year Six. Principal Kerry Griffiths arranged a guard of honour to escort us from the playground. First there was a photo with the school captains and a meeting with a very brave young man who had his head shaved at a school assembly several years ago when his mum had cancer.
From the school it was a back road through Hartley Valley, crossing over a narrow winding road and down a very steep hill. I bypassed the Victoria Pass by taking Berghofer’s Pass, an old road that has fallen into disrepair. At the top I was able to see the same view seen by Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson when they first saw the Western Plains. I had been a little disappointed that I was walking west to east across the mountains as the first Europeans to cross the mountains had gone the other way. Then I realised today that they had to walk back again, so I was retracing their footsteps just as they had done in 1813.
At the top of the mountain I stopped in at the Cedar Cabins to thank Carol and John as I hadn’t had a chance to meet them overnight. Lunch was in Blackheath before completing my walk to Wentworth Falls. We had dinner with friends at Katoomba and are looking forward to tackling the (mainly) downhill run to Penrith tomorrow. The little toe on my left foot is quite painful with every step, but today I saw Sydney for the first time through the mountains. Being able to see my destination should ease the pain.
We are still having problems working out why the camera is taking multiple images, but will upload some photos as soon as we solve the problem. The Forester has carried all our luggage and given Jan the opportunity to scout the territory and go ahead and organise things and the Rockports are really looking after my feet.
I am looking forward to starting the day tomorrow at Wentworth Falls Public School and meeting the Tumour Terminators; a group of students, parents and staff who go in the City to Surf each year to raise money for children’s cancer.
This post has arrived late because I haven’t been able to access WiFi here on the mountains. I will post it tomorrow afternoon.

Half Way

An early entry in case I don't get to upload tonight. I made a great discovery last night. My body told me that walking 70 km in a day is not the best idea. After doing a few extra kms out of Lithgow last night we returned to Cedar Lodge Cabins to a warm, comfortable room. Despite the temperature, I spent half an hour shivering uncontrollably and feeling very cold.
Shorter walk today! I think I'll be a lot more comfortable tonight.
Thanks to Bev we had a mention on 702 this morning and when we got into the car (just to get to the school to start the walk) we were on the news on 2LT.
We're looking forward to seeing the kids at Lithgow Public School as well as Principal Kerry Griffiths and her staff. We'll be heading there as soon as we get some tape to bind a troublesome little toe.
Have a good day. The weather here is beautiful again, I'm sure we'll have a good day. I look forward to seeing some of you on Saturday at the Castle Hill Showground at three o'clock.

Day 2 Part 2

Sitting under the arches at Lithgow. We couldn't find accommodation here tonight so Jan went looking up the mountains. The lovely people at Cedar Lodge Cabins in Mt Victoria, John and Carol, offered a cabin for the night. After a sixty three kilometre day, I am really looking forward to the rest. We continue to be stunned by the generosity and hospitality of people. Obviously cancer has touched many lives and the work of the Cancer Council is greatly respected.
We still haven't been able to get the camera working properly. A lack of WiFi points on the Blue Mountains may make it difficult to send the blog tomorrow, but we'll do our best.

Day 2 Part 1

If you want to make your holidays stretch out, go for a long walk. It’s hard to believe that it has only been two days.
We started the day at Bathurst Public School. The student leadership team all turned up in the cold (it was about 1 degree) to see us off. They were joined by several committee members from the Bathurst Relay for Life Kylie, Harold (who grows daffodils in old boots prepared and painted at Bathurst Gaol) and Ellen and Graham, a local councillor and teacher at Kelso High. The Principal and a number of staff turned up and we promoted Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea. Bathurst School were having theirs today and they also had a mufti day to support the Relay. They were sending their money off when I spoke with Miss White this afternoon.
The Relay committee members and Graham walked as far as Kelso school with me before I set off for Lithgow. We stopped on the way to do an interview with 2BS about the walk and the work of the Cancer Council. What a great send off!
A couple of wonderful things happened along the way. A generous couple stopped as they passed me and ran across the road to make a donation to the Cancer Council. What a kind gesture. Fortunately neither of us got run over in the process. I also did another interview with 2BS and lined one up for tomorrow with 2LT.
Jan went ahead and when she saw Meadow Flat Public School she dropped in to say hello. The whole school came out to say hello as I passed. Just over thirty students from Kindergarten to Year Six and the two teachers shook my hand and wished me well.
Lunch was a pie from a service station. When it takes two hours to walk to the next place you take what you can get.
I passed over the two highest points in my walk. There was a huge accident on the second one about an hour after I walked over. It is important to be as safe as I can at all times.
Oops: low battery. More tomorrow.

More country hospitality

Imagine our surprise when someone rushed out of the Beekeeper’s Inn to invite us in for lunch. Somehow they found out what I was doing and wanted to help in some way. We had a delicious lunch courtesy of Mark and the staff. It also lifted our spirits. The Inn is the old Cobb and Co halfway house between Bathurst and Orange and is worth a visit even if you aren’t hungry or thirsty. The honey they have is delicious.Lots of motorists wave or toot their horns as they drive past me. The radio interview on the ABC this morning must have been heard by a lot of people. The country and the people of the country have a great deal to commend them.

Orange to Bathurst - Bryan's Bit

The first 55kms have been fairly tiring. Apart from a sore heel the body is standing up fairly well to the abuse. We have arrived in Bathurst and after a long day of walking. We eventually finished in time for dinner at 8.00 p.m.: almost twelve hours on the road. The Western Plains are certainly not flat. I doubt if there was more than three kilometres of flat road in the entire walk. Tomorrow’s walk to Lithgow is even more up and down and ten kilometres longer.
Many of the students at Orange Public School turned out in their Relay for Life shirts. The Cancer Council people are doing a great job for the people of the west. The Care West program that was announced recently will make a real difference to families in remote areas who have someone diagnosed with cancer. It was a privilege to meet John and Jan who are part of the team of volunteers driving this wonderful program.
We are looking forward to another big send off tomorrow morning at Bathurst Public School. We met Kate White, the principal, yesterday. They are having their Biggest Morning Tea tomorrow and a mufti day as part of the send off for my walk.
The countryside out here is beautiful and the weather has been great. The land is very dry and the amount of garbage at the side of the road where people throw things out of their cars is very disappointing.

Orange To Bathurst - Jan's Bit

Day one- 12th May 2009 was a beautiful sunny morning in Orange for the start of the ‘Relay’ walk from Orange to Castle Hill. A lovely breakfast of bacon and eggs was cooked by our very welcoming hosts Sue and Neil , the owner’s of the Clevland B & B. Bryan appeared on page 15 of the local paper- The Central District - We had a great reception for the beginning of the walk at Orange Public School. The Principal John Webb & many pupils along with the Mayor of Orange Mr Reg Kidd and members of the Cancer Council –Jackie Wright and Kate Schofield were all there. We were also joined by Jan & John who are driving the Care West program. We all joined Bryan for a warm up lap of the school playground. Reg & John escorted Bryan to the edge of town, where Bryan had a live on air interview with the local radio station. Then it was down to some serious walking 55 kms to Bathurst .Half way to Bathurst the owners of a café – The Beekeepers Inn – invited us both inside for a delicious lunch of toasted sandwiches, milkshakes and Devonshire tea- a much appreciated break for Bryan . Thankyou, to the generous people of Orange for making the first day of the walk a great success.- Jan

Day One

I am sitting under the golden arches at Orange using their free WiFi again. I feel like I'm really coming to terms with new technology!
We had a good trip out today stopping at each of the schools and introducing ourselves to the principals. I had a short walk when we arrived to get used to walking on the highway. I have elected to walk facing the traffic. Jan drives five kilometres ahead and then turns around and parks to warn people that there is a charity walker on the road ahead. The sign on the back window of the Forester is huge. You can't miss it.
We met Sue and Neil from Cleveland Bed and Breakfast. We have a lovely room in a quiet street with it's own ensuite. We are being spoiled. We also met a number of people from the Orange office of the Cancer Council. We are looking forward to starting off tomorrow. We will be meeting with the Mayor and a representative from Cancer Care West. They are the people who are building accommodation for people undergoing cancer treatment at Orange Hospital. It is a great project that will keep families together while Mum or Dad or one of the kids has their treatment. It will save people a lot of travel and save many from having to leave their families to travel to Sydney for treatment.
We are also looking forward to meeting staff and students from Orange Public School. It is a beautiful school. The community participates each year in the Relay for Life. This year the Orange Relay raised $80000, half of which will go to Cancer Care West.
We had dinner with Jackie from the Cancer Council and she was able to brief us on many of the things that are happening in cancer treatment in the region.
No photos today (it has been a very long day with no real events) but we hope to download some tomorrow.

WiFi

I'm sitting under the golden arches, something I never do, to test out WiFi so I can keep you in touch while I'm walking. There's a choice at the "restaurant" I'm sitting in: cigarette smoke outside or broiled meat inside. The dilemma! The aroma of coffee and fat wins out. I hope that there are plenty of opportunities for WiFi on the trip and that I don't spill my coffee on Ms Lockrey's laptop!

Mother's Day celebrations are being shared with last minute preparation for the trip. Lots of purchases of fruit, low GI snacks and meals for the trip. Packing for wet weather is something that is not too inspiring, but I have to prepare for all contingencies.

Not so trivial

We parked the Forester at the Trivia Night and raised a great deal of interest. The night went really well and went a little longer than anticipated. People had been so generous that we had to run extra games and auctions throughout the night. We raised over five thousand dollars for the Relay for Life it a very happy way. The people that worked on the night made a fantastic contribution to the fund raising and the fun raising. Barry Sumpton created questions that were certainly different and a lot more entertaining than the usual run-of-the-mill trivia questions using lots of visuals. One of the biggest sellers on the night was answers from the incorruptible scorers: George, Jan and Chantal. Denise and Megan kept the money rolling in and Vicki, Michelle and Dawne helped sell anything that wasn't nailed down.
The winning team was full of teachers and knowledgeable spouses. Fortunately they are the modest type and will be insufferable in the staff room for no more than a few days.

Signwriting

We picked up the car after work on Friday with the signwriting on it. You feel a little conspicuous driving around in a car with "Caution Charity Walker" written all over the back window and covered in sponsors' logos. Sign-a-rama have done a great job of making it stand out. I'll add a photo soon.

Travelling

Denlo Subaru have supplied Jan and I with a beautiful Forester XS as a support vehicle. It is certainly going to keep Jan comfortable while she puts up with the boredom of following me hour after hour. We've driven it home and as far as the Sign-a-rama at Castle Hill who are donating all the sign writing for the trip. I should be able to resist the temptation to jump in the car instead of walking, but it is tempting.

Thanks to Col and the good people at Denlo Subaru, I'll be a lot safer and much more comfortable on the trip.

http://www.denlo.subaru.com.au/

http://www.castlehill.signarama.com.au/

Trivia

There is a Trivia Night on 8 May at the school to support the walk and the Relay for Life. The community at the school and the broader community have been incredibly supportive. There will be close to 200 people there (it will be very crowded) and some fantastic auction items. Rumour has it that many of the teams are dressing up for the night. There are some very competitive ones coming along as well!