Mark's bloody long day

Mark's bloody long day

This September, Mark Pacey is taking on a 24-hour continuous ultra triathlon to raise funds for kids with cancer. 

This September, Mark Pacey has once again has set himself the challenge to endure a 24-hour continuous ultra triathlon to raise money for childhood cancer research - and he wants you to join him!

It's the second time Mark has put himself through the gruelling challenge. Last year he swam for three hours, and then alternated between cycling and running for the next 21 hours in a bid to raise vital funds for kids cancer research. 

The dad of two has aptly dubbed the event, “The Bloody Long Day”. But the moniker has another deeper meaning that comes from personal experience; his youngest son Cooper was diagnosed with cancer at just seven years of age on 9 September 2010.

Cooper was seven-years-old when he was diagnosed with cancer.

“We, along with many other families, would spend day and night with our kids on the oncology ward at the hospital,” said Mark. “While those days often felt like a bloody long day (and I said it often enough), it was never anywhere near what the children with cancer had to endure through their treatment,” he said.

His intial fundraising goal was $10,000, but with the support of his community, family and friends Mark was able to donate over $40,000 to The Kids' Cancer Project. This year he plans to raise $50,000, and because his event is taking place during the charity's matching appeal, his efforts will be doubled to give families like his own, double the hope. 

In 2019, Mark presented a huge cheque to The Kids' Cancer Project CEO, Owen Finegan.


Learn how you can Double Your Impact


Since 1993, the independent national charity has committed more than $50 million to research projects to find better treatments and ultimately a cure for many different types of cancer. The Double Impact Appeal taking place in September and October this year is the boldest fundraising initiative ever taken by The Kids' Cancer Project with the ultimate goal to be $1.7 million raised. 

If you're not a runner, swimmer or a cyclist, you can get involved by creating your own "Bloody Long Day". Just imagine raising funds for kids' cancer by kicking back with a 24-hour Netflix binge!


Get involved: The Bloody Long Day


Cooper is now a thriving 17-year-old and is completing Year 12 this year. But as a primary schooler he and his family faced what seemed an insurmountable challenge.

The Pacey family L-R: Lisa, Mark,Thalia and Cooper.

“For two years we lived within the hospital environment for weeks and months on end,” said Mark. “Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplants, blood tests… it went on and on. Then there was the waiting for results.”

“Throughout that time and ever since, I have felt compelled to do more. But the time needed to be right,” he said. “My hope is that this event will generate awareness about the endurance required to stick at something long enough to make a difference.”

“You can’t predict the future, but you can create it and a better future can be achieved,” said Mark.

 

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