A dynamic nursing duo are swapping their scrubs and sneakers for jerseys and cleats as they prepare to take on the annual QSuper Cardiac Challenge to support cardiac services in Far North Queensland.
Caring for cardiac patients at Cairns Hospital is all in a day’s work for registered nurses Ruby Valks and Peyton Williams (pictured above). But for three days in September, they’re swapping their pink uniform to join the sea of riders in green and blue to raise vital funds for cardiac care across Far North Queensland.
For many in the region, the annual 333-kilometre cycling challenge from Cairns to Cooktown isn’t just an important community event, but the reason their family and friends can have access to world-class cardiac care close to home.
Seizing opportunities in the far north
Ruby and Peyton will be participating for the first time. As a part-time nurse and paramedic in Brisbane, Ruby had no plans to head north until a job offer made her look more closely at the healthcare opportunities in what she had considered a “rural town”.
Two years later, and now a Cairns ”local”, Ruby says the combination of her love of cycling and work in a catheterisation laboratory (cath lab), made sure her participation in the ride was inevitable.
“When I first came in for an interview, I mentioned to the nurse unit manager how gutted I was to be leaving Brisbane’s cycling scene and paths. I felt Cairns wouldn’t have the same infrastructure or community,” said Ruby.
“When she heard that she laughed and explained that the ‘cath lab’ was founded on people loving cycling and participating in the annual challenge.
“And of course she was right – in the cath lab, we have bikes etched on the doors. The cycling culture is ingrained in our ward.”
Witnessing benefits firsthand
For Peyton, who wasn’t a natural rider, the transition into cycling has grown over the past three years to the point she is now a self-professed “convert”.
Ruby and Peyton have both seen firsthand the upgraded machines, facilities, and resources the QSuper Cardiac Challenge has helped secure for their workplace.
The funds raised by the QSuper Cardiac Challenge help us better support our patients who receive heart procedures,” Peyton said. “A few years ago, our lab got upgraded through the additional funding the community secured.
“We went from one procedural unit to two, which meant we could help more patients and expand the services we provide.”
Funds support regional cardiovascular wards
Through the support of QSuper, part of Australian Retirement Trust (ART), 100% of the funds raised by Cardiac Challenge participants go towards helping regional cardiovascular wards match their standard of care with that of metropolitan regions.
“Cairns actually sees as many people as some tertiary care centres in Brisbane. It’s a huge area that we cover, so it’s just amazing that we have two cath labs to deliver that care to our patients,” said Ruby. “It’s great that as a semi-rural hospital we can secure high-end equipment and facilities.”
With Cardiac Challenge training well underway, Ruby and Peyton are thrilled to see the community rallying around one another in preparation for the event.
“All of the departments get involved – including the doctors, nurses, allied health services – as well as those who have previously been supported by our cardiac ward,” said Peyton.
Excited to take on the challenge
Both Ruby and Peyton are motivated by the immense challenge of riding 333km, but their real satisfaction comes from seeing the support it will provide their wards.
“I’m looking forward to riding to the finish line, which will be such a rewarding moment,” said Peyton. “I’m really excited to see how much we raise this year and witness the benefits the department gains from it.”
Our commitment to support community
Since the first ride in 2007, more than $6 million has been raised to support rural hospitals and improve the quality of care they offer to patients in the region.
Patrick Twomey, ART’s Head of Government and Regions, said the QSuper Cardiac Challenge was an incredible testament to how a committed community can make a tangible impact on the health outcomes of their region.
"It is a great privilege to support regions like Cairns and give back to the healthcare wards that have supported countless patients through some of their most challenging circumstances,” he said.
“The camaraderie forged between patients, their supporters, and health care workers like Ruby and Peyton is unlike any other cycling event in Australia. We look forward to seeing the community’s passion continue to be the driving force of the QSuper Cardiac Challenge for years to come.”