Welcome to the Heart of Courage Project

Regional & First Nation Cancer

​​Regional Cancer Research
Education, Prevention, Treatment
Care & Recovery
First Nation Cancer​ imbalances
​Improving Regional Cancer Outcomes

Fitness 4 Seasons

Fitness + Fundraising Challenges
Regional Destination Events, Epic Adventures!
Mid-North Coast NSW
​Move to Empower, Actively making a Difference
Grow with a Heart of Courage

People affected by cancer who live in regional areas have greater challenges to accessing treatment and care, and poorer outcomes, than those living in major cities.  Indigenous Australians are 14% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and 45 per cent more likely to die from cancer than non-Indigenous Australians. ​

"The biggest issue that we now have is that cancer has become the leading cause of death for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people...It's taken over the other chronic diseases that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been struggling with."  Professor Elston (Source)

The Heart of Courage Project focuses on improving regional cancer outcomes,​ proudly supporting and fundraising with Tour de Cure.   Fifty Percent (50%) of the funds will be dedicated to addressing First Nation Cancer imbalances and making an effort to help close this gap.  ​​

​We are proud of the Heart of Courage Project we present to you. ​

2023-2024 Season Fundraising Campaign

​​Inclusive.  Achievable.  Flexible.  Buzzwords which best describe our fundraising approach.

​Fundraise or Donate.  Fundraising is boundless,  every little bit helps and we are grateful for your support.  Members can personalise their challenges/events as well as the amount they would like to fundraise.  A a guide, we encourage members to fundraise or donate $200 as part of their season fundraising challenge(s) or goal event(s).  

Virtual challenges.  We have featured World Cancer Research Day, 24th September 2023; and World Cancer Day , 4th February 2024; with a fitness & fundraising challenge towards the project.   ​

Regional Sporting Events.  We encourage HOC members to support & celebrate regional destination sporting events (run, swim, cycle, triathlon) as part of solo and team fundraising challenges.  Sport has an important role for rural and regional areas of Australia.  It bring communities together; contributes positively to community identity and sense of place; promotes social interaction and inclusion; and has an important role in providing opportunities for physical activity and improved health outcomes.    Further benefits include supporting regional economy, tourism, the events industry, community groups and volunteers involved.  ​

Port Macquarie, Mid-North Coast NSW.   The Project highlights regional destination events Port Macquarie Run Festival, RunHaven Race the Sunset, Beach to Brother Trail Running Festival, Port Macquarie Surf Life Saving Club Ocean Swim, and Ironman in Port Macquarie as part of its fundraising events. 

​Fitness 4 Seasons.  Education & raising awareness of the benefits from living an active and healthy lifestyle - Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, all ages & generations - is a feature conversation to our project.  Investing in our personal life fitness (our physical & emotional well-being) helps support daily routines; our weekly, monthly & seasonal activities; our mental health, working through unplanned situations, celebrating the good times and dealing with adversity.   

There is no single cause for cancer.  Scientists believe that it is the interaction of many factors together that can produce cancer.  The factors involved may be genetic, environmental, or constitutional characteristics of the individual.  By making healthy lifestyle choices you can reduce your risk of cancer through self care, sun protection, diet & exercise, quitting smoking, drinking less alcohol, screening & early detection.  Having an established foundation in health, fitness and well-being can help support the life skills and resilience for cancer patients, help process cancer diagnosis and navigate the cancer journey.  This also applies to cancer patient support from family, friends, medical professionals and related workforce.  An established foundation in life fitness can help improve cancer outcomes. 

​ Grow from 'a Heart of Courage'.  We want everyone involved with the Heart of Courage project to grow from its name.  From the beginner participant to the experienced athlete, swimmers, cyclists, runners, triathletes, ultra endurance sports.  Move to empower health, well-being, life fitness.  Embrace the journey, learn from the process.  Give back and help make a difference for a cause bigger than ourselves.

What will the money do?

Fund science research to control and cure cancer with regional medical institutions, affiliated healthcare facilities, and the like.

Fund prevention & treatment projects benefiting regional and rural areas.

Cancer Care. Upskill and bolster existing and future workforce to improve access, quality of service and support for rural & regional cancer patients during their cancer journey.

Cultural Heritage & First Nation Cancer.  Fund culturally appropriate cancer care support & programs.  50% of the fundraising is to be dedicated to this First Nation cancer theme.

Season ​Challenges & Events

Spring 2023

• Sunday 24th September 2023.  Heart of Courage Fitness & Fundraising Challenge.  Celebrating & raising awareness World Cancer Research Day.
• Sunday 22nd October 2023.  Beach to Brother Trail Running Festival
• 12th November, The Singe Memorial Triathlon, Port Macquarie Triathlon Club
• Saturday 25th November 2023.  Run Haven, Twilight Running Event Mid-North Coast NSW
• Sunday 26th November 2023.  Run Fest Central Coast

Summer 2023/2024

• Christmas/New Year Festive High 5 Fitness & Fundraising Challenges 
• Saturday 30th December 100 x 100s Swim Challenge (solo / teams) - Virtual challenge. 
• Saturday 30th December 100 x 100s Swim Challenge Event, Port Macquarie Memorial Olympic Pool
• January 14th, Hat Head River Swim
• Wauchope Country Club Golf Day, 20th January 2024
• Sunday 4th February 2023.  Heart of Courage Fitness & Fundraising Challenge.  Celebrating and raising awareness World Cancer Day. 

Autumn 2024

• Saturday / Sunday 2-3 March 2024.  Run Fest Port Macquarie
• Saturday 16th March, Gumboot Ball, Old Butter Factory Telegraph Point
• 23-24th March, Hell of the West Triathlon, Goondiwindi
• Friday evening 3rd May, Bright Night Run, Ironman Australia
• 5 May, 2024.  Ironman in Port Macquarie (Ironman / Ironman 70.3 / Ironman 70.3 Teams)
• 10-12 May, 2024.  Ultraman Australia 
• 18/19th May 2024 (date TBC).  Port Macquarie Surf Life Saving Club, Ocean Swim Flynns Beach

Winter 2024

• Social & Educational Fundraising Celebrations
• Winter Solstice Heart of Courage Fitness 7 Fundraising Challenge. 

1000 Trees of hope & healing

1000 Trees of hope & healing, Donate $20

Join Heart of Courage

1. Choose a Regional Sporting Event/Challenge OR Create your own adventure!

2. We have created a HEART OF COURAGE TEAM FORM to help guide this process.

3. DONATE or FUNDRAISE with the Heart of Courage. Register your fundraising page and share your story. Your WHY. https://tourdecure.grassrootz.com/heart-of-courage/

Achievable & inclusive. You can nominate the amount you would like to fundraise or donate. Its limitless. As a guide we have suggested a donation/fundraising of $200 (or more). We want to connect with all generations & backgrounds - urban, regional and rural Australia.

4. Connect with community.  Build an A-Team around you to support your journey.  Connect with local fitness and endurance sporting groups. You could join a run group, swim squad, cycle or triathlon club. Connect with community for a greater purpose so much bigger than ourselves.  Move to empower your life fitness.  Move to make a difference. We want to INSPIRE and EMPOWER community to move for mental health, wellness, self investment and personal growth. 

5. Consistency & process is KEY in achieving your goals. Map out a season training program and your weekly exercise / session routine. Connect with a local coach for support and guidance if you need. We've also set up the Heart of Courage HUB with training resources.

Share your journey with us!   Tag @heartofcourage.au #heartofcourage.au

Teamwork
​Together everyone achieves more

The Project is an initiative co-founded by Bec Hoschke and Mel Cockshutt.  Themes have developed from our upbringing, 18 years of friendship, life experiences, career & endurance sporting pursuits, gift in coaching and helping others.  Our strong values in family, community, volunteering, charity work, cancer research and connection to country, largely shape the project foundations.  

Together with our partners and supporters, the Project aims to raise $100K. 
​We hope you are excited by our project as much as us, we'd love you to be involved and a part of it.

Move to empower your life fitness.  Move to make a difference.
Cheers
Bec & Mel