CHALLENGING TIMES AHEAD

On Sunday 31 August double lung-transplant recipient Steve Peuschel will join members of Australia's national canoeing team, who are taking a break from preparations for next month's World Canoeing Championships, to launch the 2003 Red Cross-Herald Sun Murray Marathon at Footscray Amateur Canoe Club.

Celebrating 35 years on the Murray in 2003, the Red Cross-Herald Sun Murray Marathon is the world's longest annual flatwater canoeing adventure, attracting around 5,000 paddlers and supporters to the banks of the Murray each year.

"The Marathon is a breeding ground for national and international paddlers with the majority of Australia's national team members competing in at least one Murray Marathon," says Australian World Championships representative Mr Michael Leverett.

Joining Michael at the launch is Ms Tegan Fraser (National Female Junior K2 Champion) and Mr Ivor Morgan (National K2 Champion and anchor for the winning 2002 Red Cross-Herald Sun Murray Marathon K1 Relay Team).

The Red Cross-Herald Sun Murray Marathon is not only for aspiring international champions but for those motivated by personal goals.  Such is the case for Steve Peuschel.

Steve is using the Marathon as the launching pad for the newly formed Lilly Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to securing access to organ transplants for all Australian's in need of this life-saving gift.

"We all go through some pretty tough times but it's important for everyone to get out there and have a go, no matter what your circumstances. I am not entering the Red Cross-Herald Sun Murray Marathon to win, just getting to the start line will be a victory," says Steve.

Steve received a double lung-transplant during March of 2003 at the age of 31 as a result of Cystic Fibrosis.  During and post operation, Steve received regular blood transfusions from the Australian Red Cross Blood Bank, ensuring his survival.

Inspired by his experience and the assistance of organisations like the Red Cross, Steve not only challenges himself but all Australians to participate in the 2003 Red Cross-Herald Sun Murray Marathon and help raise funds for vital emergency services and community programs.

To enter as a team or individual or to obtain further information, visit the official event website www.redcross.org.au/vic/murraymarathon.htm or call (03) 8327 7706. Keen to participate but don't have a team?  Email findateam@vic.redcross.org.au.

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FAST FACTS

Red Cross-Herald Sun Murray Marathon
CELEBRATING 35 YEARS ON THE MURRAY

* The Red Cross-Herald Sun Murray Marathon is the longest internationally accredited flat water canoeing marathon in the world
* The five-day Red Cross-Herald Sun Murray Marathon attracts up to 1,000 paddlers and 4,000 support crew and volunteers from Australia and across the globe
* The Red Cross-Herald Sun Murray Marathon covers 404km of Murray River, starting in Yarrawonga on 27 December and finishing five days later on 31 December in Swan Hill:
- DAY ONE: Yarrawonga to Tocumwal, 92km
- DAY TWO: Tocumwal to Picnic Point, 96km
- DAY THREE: Picnic Point to Echuca, 78km
- DAY FOUR: Echuca to Torrumbarry, 62km
- DAY FIVE: Murrabit to Swan Hill, 76km
* Temperature range, anywhere between 20 - 42 degrees
* Australian Red Cross hope to raise over $200,000 to support the provision of vital community programs such as the vital Emergency Catering, First Aid and Registration services provided during the bushfires that devastated parts of Victoria and New South Wales at the beginning of the 2003

Most interesting facts from 2002...
* Albury hero Tony Zerbst took out the Margaret Baker Trophy for overall handicap winner, smashing the record in the Veteran 50 class by over six hours!  Zerbst averaged 5,400 strokes per day, meaning his paddle entered the water a total of 131,004 times to complete the marathon.
* In the prestigious and competitive Herald Sun K1 International Cup, winning team Leaver Landscapes put in a phenomenal effort, beating the course record set in 1993 by a staggering 13 minutes and blitzing their traditional rivals by over 15 minutes
* Camberwell Grammar celebrated its first victory in the Schools Relay in 10 years of competition
* Tocumwal local and Marathon legend Bill Dunn (62) completed his 30th marathon, only two years after a serious accident nearly ended his life

STEVE PEUSCHEL
* Cystic Fibrosis is the most common life threatening genetic disorder affecting Australians *
* Cystic Fibrosis (CF) affects the lungs, digestive system (pancreas) and also the reproductive system (95% of men with CF are infertile) *
* There is currently no cure *
* Lung failure is the major cause of death for someone with CF *
* Currently 50% of children born with CF can anticipate living to adulthood - average age of 30 years *
* In Australia, 1 in 2500 babies are born with CF *
* Analogy: a pre-transplant CF adult uses three quarters of a shopping trolley per month in drugs, supplements, antibiotics and laxatives, at a cost of $2,100. *
Source: Cystic Fibrosis Victoria
2003 WORLD CANOEING CHAMPIONSHIPS
* The 11th annual World Canoeing Championships will be held in Valladolid, Spain September 26 - 28
* Australia will send a team of 15 paddlers to the 2003 World Canoeing Championships
* Held annually, the World Canoeing Championships are the most important annual competitive canoeing event. The other key event(s) in the annual canoeing calendar is the World Cup, held twice a year
* More than 500 paddlers representing 20 countries will compete in the 2003 World Canoeing Championships
* Countries with the largest number of paddler representatives include Great Britain (73); Portugal (51); South Africa (47)
* The strongest countries (as per overall results in the 2002 World Championships) are Hungary, 1st; Spain, 2nd; Czech Republic, 3rd; France, 4th; and Italy, 5th
* Australia's best chance for a gold at the 2003 World Canoeing Championships rests with Michael Leverett in the K1 category
* Others to look out for during the Championships include Tegan Fraser competing in the junior Women's K1 and K2 categories and the Australian Junior Men's K1 team comprising of Andrew Hosken and Peter Markwell

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BIOGRAPHY

STEVE PEUSCHEL

Steve Peuschel led an active childhood, playing many sports including tennis, cricket, football and golf, until the effects of the genetic and degenerative disease Cystic Fibrosis on his lungs began to limit him at the age of 19.

After completing his VCE, Steve travelled to Germany and Switzerland before returning to Melbourne to study Biological Sciences at La Trobe University. 

It was during this time that Steve noticed the stresses generated by his full-time study and an active lifestyle coupled with Cystic Fibrosis were resulting in increased hospital admissions, each requiring a two-week IV antibiotic treatment. 

Realising this, Steve decided to study part time, which allowed him to keep his mind and body active.  Shortly following this Steve was diagnosed with diabetes, a secondary condition suffered by about 15% of people living with Cystic Fibrosis.

By the age of 24 Steve's lung capacity was reduced to 30% and his doctors recommended a double-lung transplant.  Evaluating his options Steve decided to delay the operation as long as possible, determined that his healthy lifestyle and positive attitude would help him maintain a good quality of life.

Joining the waiting list six years later in February of 2003, Steve was lucky enough to wait just one month before a match was found, compared to the average of nine month wait experienced by most patients. 

Steve received several blood transfusions during the 7-hour operation and his recovery period. For the first time Steve realised the true importance of services provided by organisations such as the Australian Red Cross Blood Service Unit and the Alfred Hospital.

Steve's experience awoke in him a desire to raise people's awareness of the importance of organ transplants and to raise funds for organ donor research in Australia.  His association with the Australian Red Cross instilled in him an understanding and respect for the role a not-for profit organisation can provide to those in need.

After seeking advice from family and friends, Steve has begun setting up the Lilly Foundation. The Foundation's main objective is to raise funds for new technology designed to decrease waiting periods for transplant surgery and increase the number of options open to Australians in need of this life-saving gift. 

Steve is now a 31-year-old with a new lease on life. Under the watchful eye of his doctors from the Alfred Hospital, Steve has developed a personal exercise routine to include kayaking, walking, boxing, weights and golf.  His fitness levels have improved and his active lifestyle has greatly assisted his post-op recovery.

His next challenge is to be the first man with a double-lung transplant to finish the historic 404km Red Cross-Herald Sun Murray Marathon, while using the event to publicly launch the Lilly Foundation.

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BACKGROUNDER

Red Cross-Herald Sun Murray Marathon
CELEBRATING 35 YEARS ON THE MURRAY

It began back in the "Summer of '69".  Ten school friends in seven canoes battled 250miles of the mighty Murray River between Boxing Day and New Year's day in order to raise funds for Australian Red Cross.

The Murray Marathon is the brainchild of Victorian-born paddler Mark Thornthwaite who developed the first Murray Marathon as a fundraising project for the Red Cross.  Taking to the waters with mates and supported from land by family and friends, Thornthwaite and his crew took six days to tame the mighty Murray and raise $250 for the Red Cross.

From these humble beginnings, the Red Cross-Herald Sun Murray Marathon has become one of Australia's oldest and most respected sporting traditions. Over the years the event has captured the imagination and interest of thousands of people from Australia and across the globe.

From the elite to the first time and social paddler, the world's longest annual flatwater adventure leaves an ever-lasting imprint on the memory of all who participate. 

Each year on 27 December, an eager group of paddlers and land crew set out from Yarrawonga to travel the 404km course through some of Victoria's harshest yet most beautiful countryside, before celebrating New Years Eve five days later in Swan Hill.

This year, the marathon reaches a special milestone as it celebrates 35 years on the Murray.  This alone is expected to draw out hundreds of past and new competitors, eager to take on a new challenge or re-live old memories. 

Fundraising for the Australian Red Cross has always been an integral part of the marathon as participants raise vital funds to support local Australian Red Cross emergency services and community programs.

For entry details or further information call the Australian Red Cross, Victoria on (03) 8327 7706 or visit www.redcross.org.au/vic/murraymarathon.htm.  Keen to participate but don't have a team?  Email findateam@vic.redcross.org.au.  Register now and start paddling!

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