What’s Happening?
Breakaway Horse Riders Mackay held its 25th annual Charity Horse Ride on Saturday 23 May, raising funds for bowel cancer research. The event happened last weekend and brought together riders, donors, organisers and local supporters for a cause with deep meaning across the community.
About 125 horses took part in the ride. The group crossed the Mirani bridge on foot for safety, with a photo taken by the Breakaway group later shared on social media.
At the centre of the day was 80-year-old Graham Stabler, who has survived bowel cancer for 20 years. Graham has faced surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, serious complications and long hospital stays. He was discharged from Wesley Hospital in Brisbane just three weeks before the ride, after 15 weeks of further surgery and treatment.
Despite those recent health challenges, Graham returned to the saddle for the fundraiser. Ron Pearson said Graham became “the iconic man of the moment” and helped lift the day’s message.
“A good ride and about $50k raised in total,” Ron said. He thanked everyone who donated and helped bring the event together.
Why It Matters
This was more than a charity ride. It was a strong Mackay response to bowel cancer, and a public show of support for people still living with treatment and uncertainty.
Graham’s story has helped others facing the same diagnosis. He has also supported Ron Pearson, who met him through a local bowel cancer support group. Ron has been dealing with bowel cancer and ongoing treatment over the past 17 months.
Ron is turning 78 in four weeks and has stage four cancer. He had another scan on the day he shared his update. He said chemotherapy has helped many people, but it is not the final answer.
“The side effects of chemo is devastating for some,” Ron said. He has had four hospital sessions because of chemotherapy toxicity.
Ron said his oncologist told him: “It will not cure you.”
For Ron, the ride carried a bigger message. He said there are many younger people getting cancer, and more research, awareness and new treatment options are needed as soon as possible. He also pointed to newer treatments, including CAR T cells and immune treatment, as possible options for some patients.
By the Numbers
- About $50,000 was raised in total, showing how strongly Mackay backed the bowel cancer fundraiser.
- Graham Stabler raised about $36,000, well above his original $20,000 goal after recent hospital treatment.
- About 125 horses took part, with riders crossing the Mirani bridge on foot for safety.
Local Impact
The charity ride gave Mackay locals a direct way to support bowel cancer research. It also showed the value of community during long and difficult cancer treatment.
Graham’s strength gave the day its emotional centre, while Ron’s story added another local voice to the message. Together, their experiences showed how bowel cancer affects people long after diagnosis.
Ron said chemotherapy can be hard on patients. He also said remission does not always mean a cure. That is why awareness, research and better treatment options remain important to families across Mackay.
The event also gave people a way to donate, share and stand beside those still in treatment.
Zoom In
Graham’s cancer story began in 1999, when he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. The diagnosis led to an ileostomy, also known as a stoma. In 2000, he had a reversal of the ileostomy.
In 2006, Graham was diagnosed with rapidly developing bowel cancer again. The cancer involved his bowel, intra-pelvic structures and sacrum, which is part of the lower spine. In May 2006, he began seven weeks of radiotherapy and 24-hour chemotherapy.
In July 2006, Graham underwent radical surgery lasting more than 12 hours. The surgery involved his bowel, intra-pelvic structures and lower spine. Graham said he now only has his first sacral vertebra left. He then spent six weeks in intensive care and on the ward at Wesley Hospital.
“I was really down and out,” Graham said.
During recovery, Graham made himself a promise.
“If I recovered, if I could get on my horse without falling off the other side, I would continue to ride and even go back to campdrafting,” he said.
Graham said he was probably the only person who did not know he was not expected to survive.
In October 2006, he was discharged from hospital and began six months of chemotherapy. That meant regular travel from Mackay to Brisbane. On Mondays, he travelled for blood tests. Tuesdays involved seven hours of chemotherapy, Wednesdays involved five hours, and Thursdays involved another two hours.
If he missed his Thursday afternoon flight, Graham said he was too sick to travel for several days.
In March 2007, Graham finished chemotherapy. After that, he travelled to Brisbane every three months for CT scans. At that time, Mackay did not have the Icon Centre, and Graham said Mackay also did not have a suitable CT scan available.
In November 2007, a CT scan found secondary cancer in the lower lobe of his left lung. Graham then had surgery to remove that lower lobe, which was about one quarter of his lung. He said his recovery was good, and he still has good lung capacity.
Zoom Out
Graham said he feels lucky to still walk and ride horses. He now lives with a colostomy and described living with a stoma as a small price to pay when people “consider the alternative.”
He also lost the nerve that controls his bladder function. That means he does not know when he needs to urinate, and he cannot urinate without help. Graham now uses a catheter every two to four hours.
He has been honest about the difficult parts of life after cancer.
“I need to be honest,” Graham said. “I have learned to use some very rude words when I have occasional accidents involving my basic bodily functions.”
Since then, Graham has had five operations to repair hernias, a prolapsed stoma and other complications. He said chemotherapy and radiotherapy have advanced over the past 20 years.
“I am one of the lucky people who is still here to annoy everyone 20 years on,” Graham said.
This year is a major milestone for him. He has turned 80, and it is also 20 years since his major surgery in 2006.
Before the ride, Graham hoped to raise $20,000. He said he left his sponsorship run late because he had spent 15 weeks in Wesley Hospital. He was not sure if he would be strong enough to ride 20 kilometres.
After riding again before the event, he felt ready.
“I CAN DO IT!” Graham said.
On Saturday, 23 May, he did.
How To Donate
Community members can still support the Breakaway Horse Riders Mackay bowel cancer fundraiser.
To donate online, open the Pay Anyone option in your internet banking app. You can also use Pay ID. Type in the ABN number 478 708 821 58, which will take you directly to the Breakaway Club bank account.
Fill in the payment details and include a name as the reference. Use Ron Pearson or Graham Stabler as the reference.
Graham thanked those who had backed the fundraiser.
“I am so flattered that you are supporting me,” he said. “Thank you!”
What To Look For Next?
The ride has already helped keep bowel cancer awareness in the local conversation.
Ron said he also had an interview with Dave Perkins on Tropica Nursery about 7am before the ride, helping share the message before riders set off.
The hope now is that the money raised supports more bowel cancer research. It may also help more locals speak earlier, get checked and seek support when they need it.
