Skip to content

Lung cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer among South Australians, but the leading cause of cancer death for men and women.

The causes of lung cancer are not fully understood, and some people—like Kylan’s mum Tammy-Lee—develop lung cancer without having any known risk factors. However, there are some factors—like smoking—that do increase the risk of lung cancer.

Determined to do something in honour of his mum and so that no other family had to lose a loved one, Kylan got his three older brothers together to ride 220 For Tammy in 2019. The fundraiser saw the Beech boys ride 220kms from Adelaide to Barmera, raising an incredible $30,000 for cancer research.

This year, the boys have set their sights on an even bigger ride and an even bigger fundraising goal: 2,200kms from the Gold Coast to Adelaide and $50,000 to further support cancer research.

We know it’s a long way, but really wanted to challenge ourselves. Jordan and Nick both live in the Gold Coast, with Jono and I living here, so we thought “why not”. We know it’s going to be a challenge, but it’s nothing comparted to what people face going through cancer every day,” Kylan says.

Mum’s favourite quote was “it may be stormy, but it never lasts forever”, so whenever it gets hard, we always remember that.

The Beech boys will set off from the Cancer Council Gold Coast office on Saturday 29 October, arriving out the front of the Cancer Council SA Adelaide office on Saturday 12 November—the same day as their mum’s birthday.

“Since mum passed away, I’ve always wondered why mum’s cancer couldn’t be detected earlier and why we will all have to go through the rest of live without her,” Kylan says.

I’d give anything to have my mum here to watch me grow up, to have just one more year, one more day with her.

220 For Tammy is our way of doing something, so that other families won’t experience growing up without their mum because of cancer.

All the money raised through 220 For Tammy will go towards Cancer Council funded research projects.

Cancer Council is the largest independent funder of cancer research in Australia. In 2020, Cancer Council and its research partners directed over $54 million to research grants for vital research projects across Australia thanks to the support of the community.

For more information on 220 For Tammy, to donate or to follow the boys ride visit 220fortammy.com. You can also follow along on Instagram and Facebook.

To find out more about the research Cancer Council SA funds, click here.

You might also be interested in: