Charity Entry 2015 Flight Centre Active Travel IRONMAN 70.3 Cairns

Charity Entry 2015 Flight Centre Active Travel IRONMAN 70.3 Cairns

Welcome We are very pleased to announce that COUCH has once again been chosen as the official charity partner of the Flight Centre Active Travel IRONMAN 70.3 Cairns. 2014 saw COUCH in its first year of partnership with the event and 40 triathletes signed on as charity entrants. Those 40 individuals raised close to $70,000, which was simply a massive achievement. This year COUCH will offer 60 individuals and 15 teams the opportunity to compete in the event as a Charity entry. Our target is $100,000. Sound interesting? Well read on and find out what is involved, what COUCH does in the Cairns community and how you can help this great charity ease the cancer journey for the people of Cairns and surrounds...as well as having a bucket load of fun in the lead up to the triathlon in June 2015.

2015 Charity - COUCH COUCH (Committee for Oncology Unit at Cairns Hospital) is an action group that was formed by Charles and Pip Woodward at a public meeting they organised on 4 September 2006. This meeting was called after cancer sufferer, Liz Plummer, highlighted in The Cairns Post newspaper the inadequate cancer oncology services available in Cairns. The lack of radiotherapy services caused unnecessary pain, suffering and cost by having to travel to Townsville or Brisbane for treatment and experiencing extended periods away from loved ones as well as bearing the burden of costs of accessing this necessary and lifesaving treatment. Alarming statistics have revealed that people with cancer in regional areas are 35% more likely to die within 5 years of diagnosis than patients in larger cities, and mortality rates increase the further away the patients live. For some cancers, remote patients are up to 300% more likely to die within 5 years of diagnosis. COUCH aims is to improve these statistics for the people in Far North Queensland. A commitment in the COUCH Constitution is To improve the health and wellbeing of people in the Far North Queensland community that may suffer the disease of cancer. Originally the main objective of COUCH was to ensure that Cairns had radiation oncology facilities. With the Liz Plummer Cancer Care Centre now in place chiefly due to COUCH s activities, local sufferers of cancer can now be treated here in Cairns in world-class facilities rather than suffer through journeys for treatment. COUCH ACHIEVEMENTS An Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) machine purchased for $300,000 for the Cairns Base Hospital (in conjunction with FNQ Hospital Foundation). Two lymphatic mapping probes purchased for $20,000 for Cairns Hospital. A Shuttle bus for the Liz Plummer Cancer Care Centre purchased for $25,000. Submissions to the Federal Government resulted in the purchase of five chemotherapy chairs for $500,000. A Bioimpedence spectroscopy device and two laser therapy units purchased for $23,000. Establishment of the Liz Plummer Cancer Care Centre (Officially opened October 2011). Purchase of L-Dex and Laser Equipment. Cancer Help & Wellness Centre Stage 1 (Roadworks complete)

The Cancer Help & Wellness Centre Vision The Woodward Family has donated land to COUCH on Reservoir road where a Health Care Precinct will be situated. A quarter of this area will become the COUCH Cancer Help & Wellness Centre. The Wellness Centre will be set amongst the natural forest setting to create a tranquil, complete healing and wellness experience. Wellness encompasses a holistic approach to health care and includes balancing the following dimensions of our lives: Social and environmental Occupational Spiritual Physical Intellectual Emotional dimensions As patients with a life threatening illness face the consequences of that illness, they often express a need to balance the medical facets of their care with spiritual and emotional aspects in order to better cope with the disease. Patients involved in wellness programs learn new skills that help them to regain control of their lives, reduce feelings of isolation and restore hope, regardless of the stage of their disease. They become active participants in the journey of their illness. The COUCH Cancer Help & Wellness Centre is being built to care for all people affected by cancer and includes: Patients Survivors Carers and Family

1.9km Swim Course Athletes will start at Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove, Cairns most prominent and famous beach. The 1.9km course travels in a clockwise direction and offers a stunning tropical and balmy swim. IRONMAN 70.3 Cairns offers athletes an amazing race experience, set on the same great course as Cairns Airport IRONMAN Cairns. IRONMAN 70.3 Cairns features a course memorable for the swim in the warm waters of Tropical North Queensland, the bike leg that travels up arguably the most scenic coastal roads in Australia towards Port Douglas and run that includes the Cairns boardwalk before finishing in the heart of the city of Cairns. IRONMAN 70.3 Cairns was launched in 2011 and takes athletes along the same course as the renowned Cairns Airport IRONMAN Cairns from reef to rainforest. The bike leg takes athletes up the Captain Cook Highway where the coastline views are spectacular. 90km Bike Course Cyclists take in the breathtaking views of the Captain Cook Highway and the tropical seaside rainforest. The undulating and winding course will take competitors past Ellis Beach and Wangetti before reaching the turnaround point north of Rex s Lookout. 21.1km ASICS Run Course This is the time for all competitors to enjoy the end of their race where competitors go through the vibrant hub of the Cairns Esplanade, one of the most popular destinations, for both tourists and locals, in Cairns. Athletes will past the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, take in the impressive site of Mount Yarrabah across the water and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Esplanade. If you have friends and family supporting you on the day, this is the place to be to catch all the action of the final leg of the IRONMAN 70.3 Cairns.

Charity Entry - Whats involved and whats included? COUCH has taken out 60 individual spots and 15 Team entry into this years Flight Centre Active Travel IRONMAN 70.3 Cairns. The cost for an individual entry is $466.50 and for a Team Entry the cost is $558.60. This includes both the entry fee and a active fee that each participant is charged. Included in this cost is the following Guaranteed entry into this sell out event Entry amount refunded if individually you raise $2,000 for COUCH Team introduction at Cairns Zoom Priority pre event registration window Priority check in Charity partner priority bike racking Exclusive pro athlete experience with the group e.g. In 2014 this involved a training run with world renowned triathlete Liz Blatchford. One of the following festival benefits - comp entry into fun run or 1/2 price entry to Coral Coast Triathlon event Exclusive group transition and athlete briefing TEAM COUCH Pasta Party prior to the event TEAM COUCH Running Shirt

Need some help with training? For 2015, The Team Carling Tri Squad Program continues on in the same fashion as in 2014, Training Smart! Don t train like a swimmer, a cyclist or runner: Train Like a Triathlete! Team Carling leads the way in the Far North with our smart training methods developed by Dr Phil Maffetone and also uses the best technology on the market to track progress and set out programs that are individualised to your personal needs. Check out what we have to offer for the Team Carling Tri Squad January - June program. Individual Training plan on Training Peaks designed to fit in with your life, goals, fitness and experience! Weekly Run technique, Brick, Social Rides, Swim Skills sessions, Yoga Technique video analysis Free workshops Musculo/skeletal assessment with Cairns Total Physio Body analysis reports with Health Management Cairns Discounted consultations with Health Management Cairns Team Carling membership card to receive discounts on team sponsors products and services Team fundraising for COUCH Cairns which helps build team dynamic and gives a chance to give back to cancer sufferers in desperate need of assistance and support. Team volunteering roster for Cairns Crocs Triathlon Club to help assist and give back to the triathlon community without them we have no local events! Private Team Only Facebook Forum The option to pay full upfront or pay off on Direct Debit Plan over 23 weeks via bank account or credit card Strictly limited to 40 athletes for Cairns Squad and 20 athletes for Port Douglas Squad..book your spot ASAP as this WILL be a sell out! Optional Marlin Coast Swim Squad Add On Marlin Coast Swim Club, Smithfield Pool, have offered a fantastic deal to Team Carling Tri Squad. The professional Swim Coaches will be putting on 2 Squad sessions for Team Carling members each week (one AM, one PM) days TBA. Costs associated with this training program can also include your entry fee into the Cairns 70.3 but get in quick. More Information Nick Carling - 0410 094 283 nick@actinfitness.com.au

How do I raise money? Couch will run a fundraising portal through the Go Fundraise platform. We will provide you with the dedicated webpage for fundraising. You will then load up your profile, a personalised message and then distribute that link to your own network of friends and family. Whats next and how do I get my place? Thats easy. To register and secure your place contact:- Michael Nelson michael@pinnaclemarketing.com.au 0437 022 330 Places are allocated on a first in basis. Terms and Conditions The registration code will only be issued once COUCH receives full payment for your registration Your place is not confirmed until payment has been received into the COUCH bank account COUCH will refund the entry fee of any individual who raises $2000 and any team who raises $4000 Please note that to register successfully prior to the event you must hold a single day membership of Triathlon Australia In addition to this, we will also be running a number of signature events during the first part of 2015. These will be a Superheros and Villains Fun Run as well as a Corporate Lunch in the lead up to the Triathlon. More details on these events to come.

For more information on the charity entries Michael Nelson Mb:- 0437 022 330 Email michael@pinnaclemarketing.com.au www.couch.org.au Find us on Facebook