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IRONMAN FOR BRAIN CANCER

By Michael Besser AM

I'm taking on an Ironman at 80 to support Brain Cancer Australia


Most people don't celebrate their 80th birthday with a 1.9km swim, a 90km bike ride and a 21km run.

But this September, I'll be taking on the Mooloolaba Ironman 70.3 for a very special reason.

I'm raising money for Brain Cancer Australia in honour of my friend and colleague, Professor Richard Scolyer, who died from brain cancer in early June.

I first met Richard in the 1990s when he was training at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He was very good at what he did. Thoughtful, humble and quietly determined.

Richard went on to become a world-leading pathologist, helping to transform melanoma treatment and improve outcomes for patients around the world.

When I learned of Richard's brain cancer diagnosis in 2023, I was devastated. After everything he had done for melanoma, I just thought it was so unfair.

Throughout his brain cancer journey, Richard continued to advocate for more research and participate in endurance events when he was well enough.

He's always had a passion for triathlon and sport. Despite his diagnosis and treatment, he continued to push on and participate. That’s what inspired me to sign up for the Ironman this year. 

It’s taken on an extra meaning now that he’s gone.

I have represented Australia in triathlon, including 10 Ironman events, culminating in the World Triathlon Ironman Championship in Kona, Hawaii, at the age of 72.

But this event will be my toughest yet.

I’ve slowed down a lot in the last couple of years and my biggest concern will be finishing it within the eight-hour time limit. But as Richard said in his open letter published after his death, he hoped to be remembered as someone who "gave it a crack". That's exactly what I'm planning to do.

Despite the challenges in brain cancer, I'm optimistic about the future.

As a retired neurosurgeon and as Chair of the Brain Cancer Australia Charity, I believe the research infrastructure we're building is critical, and I'm confident better outcomes are achievable.  We just need the investment.

Thank you for your donation.

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

$24,158

My Goal

$30,000

Select amount to donate

$75 can help fund Australia's first national brain cancer registry
$150 can help enrol a brain cancer patient in a research study
$300 can help researchers access brain cancer tissue samples
$500 can help run a data-driven research study

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Thank you for your generosity

$5k

Warwick Williams

$1.82k

Eric Engel

Mensch

$1,000

Rick Delaney

Best of luck Michael!!

$515

Robyn Leonard

Champion!!

$515

Jill & Richard Gordon

$515

Peter Mckaig

$515

Jim & Melissa Travers

$515

Dorothy And Ross Marlow

$515

Emma Brickacek

Best of luck Michael - such an amazing thing to do!!

$515

Joe Shlegeris

$515

Bruce Lemcke

$515

Ross Bowles

Thanks Michael for continuing to fight brain cancer, you are an inspiration to all and we wish you good luck for a great race, Ross & Di

$515

Howard Peters

Well done

$500

Nathan Besser

$500

Ian Crow

Michael wish you well a great achievement in your 80th year

$400

Charlotte

$315

Anonymous

Good luck!

$315

Anonymous

Best wishes!

$315

William Land

$315

Trevor Mathews

Go Ironman

$315

Alex & Donica Lang

Thank you from the Lang's for your ongoing support to us and this cause

$315

Julian Rifkin

A True Champion

$315

Tony

$315

Neil Slonim

You are an inspiration Michael. Go well!

$300

Anne Footit

Fantastic cause... Love your work

$265

Dianne Cleary

You're a constant inspiration!

$265

Jacob Martin

Good luck geezer!

$265

Stuart Lee

Well done, Michael. Good Luck

$250

Wirginia Maixner

Good luck!

$215

Allan Meares

Go Michael

$200

Anonymous

Great effort

$165

Linton Besser

Go Dad!

$165

John Surian

Go for it Michael well done for a noble cause and to recognize a great Ozzie

$165

Joshua Waine

To the legened that taught my surgeon

$165

Ben Jonker

Amazing! Go well!

$165

Anonymous

You rock! You are a machine

$165

Nicholas Collings

Good luck Michael for the 70.3. Both Susan & I will be cheering you on, while having a coffee at Wagtail.....

$165

Emma Thomas

Thanks for giving this a crack and for continuing to support critical outcomes for improved brain cancer treatment.

$165

Eli Gold

Great job Michael. Let’s keep going strong.

$165

Pam Wilson

You’re an inspiration!

$165

Anonymous

Very happy to support a caused which is dear to your heart and matters to thousands. I admire your way of celebrating your 80th. John and Wendy

$156

Sharon Bell

You are an inspiration to us all Michael. Please go safe!

$150

Bay Warburton

Amazing Michael, what a wonderful tribute to Richard.

$150

Sue And John

Michael you are an inspiration

$150

Jane Frank

You will always be our superhero Michael. You and Anne continue to amaze us. We will be there to provide whatever support you need. Love to you both, Janey and Karl xoxo

$117.43

Michael Leonard

$106.75

Gary & Denise Toomey

Congratulations Michael.

$106.75

Karen Hayes/colleen Davey

May you have a wing on both feet & Anne will greet you with her finish dance xo

$106.75

Chris Welsh

From line one in squads. I’m not racing you in the pool until you’re 90. You’ve already got this iron man race in the bag.

$106.75

Rossi Family

Thank you for your dedication towards change in the Brain Cancer world

$106.75

Chris

Thank you for who you are willing to be for brain cancer sufferers and their families.

$106.12

Louise Walsh

Go well!

$106.12

Julie-anne Hazlett

Michael, you are incredible and an inspiration to us all. I know you can do this and I’ll be cheering you all the way to the finish line. Hopefully I can be there in person to cheer extra loudly! Go Michael,go!

$106.12

K & M Rae

Inspiring, see you on the finish line

$106.12

Brian Owler

$106.12

Dianne Gallagher

Congratulations Michael and good luck for this magnificent ride

$106.12

Yvonne Mutton

You're amazing Michael. A great cause & I'm sure Dr Scolyer will be looking down on you cheering loudly.

$103.72

John Wallis

Wow. Amazing effort!

$100

Deb Zorotheos

So very proud of you Dad! XXX

$87.31

Sean Bloch

Amazing

$82.13

Ruth Whittaker

$82.13

Debbie Shapira

Go Michael such a wonderful thing to have a crack at. Doesn’t matter if you finish you have won by having a go

$82.13

Anonymous

Go Deb’s Dad!

$80.96

Polly Besser

$80.96

Anonymous

$80.96

Caroline Forsyth

$80.96

Peter Holgate

Glad to help but don't ask me to compete with you, I will just watch thankyou See you soon

$80.96

Norman Abel

$80.96

Nick Croft

From Nick and Jess Michael 🙏

$80.96

Sue Andrews

Great cause and such a terrific way to enter your 9th decade, truly inspiring

$80.96

Anonymous

$75.81

Scott Mcmenamin

$55.95

Di Seels

All the best Michael - you are a true legend :)

$55.95

Anonymous

Go Michael go!

$55.95

Sophie Luke

I’ll be cheering you on from Sydney Michael! Such an incredible man, for an amazing cause - You got this!

$55.95

Gary And Margaret Want

Hi Michael thank you for taking on the gruelling challenge of the Mooloolaba Marathon to raise funds for brain cancer research in memory of your friend and great Australian Professor Richard Scolyer. We pray that you finish safe and sound and that our small but heartfelt donation helps this lifesaving cause.

$54.84

Anne And Ian Jobling

Thank you for your effort, Michael - enjoy the activity!

$54.84

Steve Miller

Great work Michael, hope to see you out on course on raceday.

$54.84

Graham Douglas

$54.84

Keridee Bailey

You are an inspiration Michael.

$50

Anonymous

Inspiring. Quests and gestures like yours give me hope and bring a tear to my eye. Thank you

$50

Barry Lipp

Good luck Mike. One last hurrah!

$50

Alex Zorotheos

Good luck !!

$44.82

Rebecca Ormsby

$25

Brooke

Best of luck giving it a crack

$23.81

Anonymous

$21.42

Nina Blair

You are an inspiration to the community. Good luck