Rider Profile: Stephen Mitchell
My daughter Katelyn was diagnosed in September 2020 with Juvenile Granulosa Cell Tumour (JGCT), a very rare form of ovarian cancer. Katelyn has had 2 operations, 1 to remove a Tumor and the 2nd to remove an ovary. At the time of her diagnoses the lack of information about this form of cancer lead Katelyn (also leaning on Lynnette and I) to decided that her treatment would be ‘watch n wait’. Chemotherapy was an option but was ineffective as the cancer can still reoccur. As of September 2021 Katelyn is well and all scans have been clear. Katelyn is very active in sports and completing her final year at WSU in Bachelor of Zoology.
I’ve been involved in sports since childhood. I started playing Cricket in the summer and Soccer in the winter at the age of 6. I enjoyed soccer and competed at the Youth League level. Cricket wasn’t supposed to start until age 8. I then played 3 years in under 9’s. By the age of 11 I held multiple district records. I eventually went on to play 1st Grade cricket for Penrith. At 13, I purchased my first road bike but didn’t start road racing until age 20. I had more time as I had ended my cricket career. Road racing took me to C grade opens. At the same time I was bitten by the Triathlon bug and competed in all distances except for Ironman. This continued until 2004 when leg injuries were taking their toll.
In 2004 we were hit with the tragedy losing the life of our 2nd child 3 weeks old of Neonatal Hemochromatosis. Over the next 3 years with the help of doctors we investigated the reasons why this occurred. This included a human trail as part of a worldwide study. This research and human trail meant that Jonathan was the 48 child born under the protocol.
In 2007 the family moved to Newcastle and working long hours meant that riding took a back seat with only a small amount of kilometers completed. In 2010 I started riding again and took up body building which I have now made part of my daily routine. In January 2021 I purchase a new bike which has re invigorated my passion for riding.
My working career has been 33 years in the Finance sector. More recently I have been self employed as a Mortgage Broker over the past 6 years.
I now have a goal to train and ultimately help Katelyn by raising awareness of Ovarian Cancer in females through Research by the ROC Incorporated (ROCInc).
Click below to head to Stephen page and show your support. Ride 4 Research April 30 to May 8 2022 –