The breast cancer awareness jet skiers pictured at Torrumbarry lock on the Murray River. Photo: Brendan Whitty/Facebook
A group of jet skiers cruised down the Murray River and into Echuca on Monday, October 21.
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The team, who had travelled over 500km from Albury a day earlier, stopped in to share their message: regular breast cancer screening saves lives.
Brendan Whitty, a co-ordinator of the trip, said the inspiration to raise awareness came after his wife, Shauna, was diagnosed with the disease.
During a routine mammogram in December last year, Ms Whitty was told that an abnormality had been detected.
The pair was in denial, Mr Whitty said, but a biopsy later confirmed a diagnosis of stage three breast cancer.
“Reality hit hard after the surgeon's appointment,” he said.
“That's why we're riding – to spread the message that regular screening saves lives.”
The ride, which is not raising funds, is also focused on reminding others that free mammograms are available, offered by BreastScreen Victoria.
“The statistics are staggering: one in seven women will be affected,” he said, referring to lifetime chances of a breast cancer diagnosis for Australian women.
“This past year has been tough for Shauna and countless others diagnosed with breast cancer.”
Mr Whitty said those in the group, along with people they had met while on their trip, had been personally affected by the disease.
“Our group's experience underscores this. Some riders have lost loved ones, while others, like the Torrumbarry River lock operator, have recently received devastating news.
“Breast cancer can strike anyone,” he said.
The community in Echuca provided a warm welcome, Mr Whitty said of the group’s night in town, adding that they were struck by how many people knew they were coming.
The jet ski awareness team pictured outside of the Shamrock Hotel, Monday, October 21. Photo: supplied/Brendan Whitty.
The team, who have been travelling about 300km per day since Sunday, October 20, had another 1700km ahead of them on Monday.
They departed town towards Swan Hill around 7am on Tuesday, October 22, with stops planned in Mildura and Renmark before reaching their destination of Hindmarsh Island in South Australia.
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