Women's Breakfast - The Cycle of Giving

The Cycle of Giving -The Prince Charles Hospital - The Common Good

In 2004, Mary Long’s husband Mal underwent a heart transplant at The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH).

In 2006, Mary and Mal, to attempt to give something in return, held a cycle ride from Landsborough to TPCH, to acknowledge and give thanks to their Donor family, to thank their Transplant Team, and to raise awareness of the need for donations of Organ & Tissue for Transplantation. The riders, a group of 18, included one of Mal’s transplant physicians, several transplant recipients, and supportive friends.

The ride was a success, and has grown each successive year, 2020 will be its 15th anniversary. All funds from the "Cycle of Giving" are directed to Organ Transplant Research.

In 2013, the growth in numbers of riders and increasing costs forced Mary to address how the cycle could continue into the future. She decided to approach TPCH Foundation, and asked them to consider taking over the reins. They agreed, and Mary continues to have involvement and supports the Foundation through “The Common Good”. The Common Good is an initiative of TPCH Foundation established in 1986 under the patronage of His Royal Highness, Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, to inspire a generous community to fund life-saving and life-changing health research that tackles Australia’s most significant chronic diseases.
This year, the Cycle will join forces with the Tour de Brisbane, the Common Good is the charity of choice for this event. Some several thousand riders register for the event.
So from very humble beginnings we now have a major event that powers great outcomes for us all.

In a unique and emotional twist, for the last two years of the ride, the son of Mal’s Donor has cycled alongside Mary.