The Wellness Centre at the Border's cancer hospital has grown to become a central point for patients and families to seek comfort and support, and its activities will again be expanded thanks to the Lake Hume Cycle Challenge.
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The event has raised more than $150,000 for the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund and returns for the 21st year on February 22.
Rotary Club of Bellbridge Lake Hume supports both the wellness centre and Border Trust with proceeds from four rides, including the 32 kilometre Weir Wonder and the 126 kilometre Granya Grind.
Recent additions at the Wellness Centre include support groups for men and people with head and neck cancers, and the 2020 cycle challenge comes as a new co-ordinator begins at the centre.
Albury Wodonga Health social worker Teighan Govett has worked with outpatients of the cancer centre for the past 18 months and is taking on the co-ordinator role.
"It's a privilege to be involved with people and their families in what is one of the hardest times of their lives," she said.
"To be able to help them work through it and see the strength that they have; and contrary to what people think, cancer is actually such a positive space to work in.
"There's so much community involvement through fundraising, donations and things like the Lake Hume Cycle Challenge, which is a great show of support for our cancer centre.
"So despite the difficult position that people are in, there's the attitude that we're all in it together and we're going to help each other through."
Ms Govett wants to start a new program to encourage physical activity for cancer patients.
"I really want to have an exercise program run from the Wellness Centre just to add to the holistic approach to treating patients," she said.
"It's about looking after the whole person alongside their conventional treatment, and exercise has proven benefits for a person's physical and mental well-being."
On Saturday, February 22, all road rides will start and finish at the Wodonga Racecourse, where there will be a chill zone with food drink and entertainment.
For the first time, the family river ride will start and finish at Belvoir Park to take advantage of the paved off-road paths at Gateway Island and Noreuil Park.
Among the hundreds of riders expected to sign up for the Sandy Creek challenge will be former breast care nurse and Brave Hearts on the Murray president, Jenny Black.
"The Lake Hume Cycle Challenge gives you a special sense of achievement, riding for individuals in our community affected by a cancer diagnosis," she said.
"It certainly gives you that extra energy and reason to climb those hills.
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"The other incentive to participate in this great community venture is that the money raised will go towards our regional cancer centre trust fund, the mission of which is to raise funds to support our special regional cancer centre to provide excellent cancer care and support to people in our region whose lives have been touched by a cancer diagnosis.
"We are so fortunate to be living in our regional area where our community is so willing to work together for such a great cause."
To register or find out more, visit lakehumecyclechallenge.com.au.
