Just two weeks after his bowel cancer diagnosis and surgery, Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia driver Mike Sheargold created the N2YGT3 campaign to raise awareness and funds for bowel cancer, with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 proudly displaying a brand new Bowel Cancer Australia livery.
“I’m feeling a bit sore and tired, but very happy and overwhelmed with the support from my family, friends and motorsport community, not to mention the care and support I’ve received from all the doctors and nurses” Mike reported from his hospital bed.
Had it not been for the medical examination required for Mike to renew his Motorsport Australia competition licence, the cancer may have remained undetected for some time.
“When I did the medical to renew my licence, the blood test detected low iron levels, so my GP suggested some further tests, which ultimately resulted in the cancer diagnosis,” he said.
“Normally, people don’t commence regular bowel cancer screening until they reach 50, so it could have gone undiagnosed for a long time and ended up becoming far worse. I really have my involvement in motorsport to thank for catching it at such an early stage.”
To kick start the campaign Mike and his wife Lauren, together with the Sheargold Foundation, pledged $50,000 in the hope that with further support this amount could be matched.
The initiative quickly surpassed the initial target of $100,000, and Mike increased the fundraising goal to $150,000.
RAM Motorsport used the motorsport platform to raise awareness of early-onset bowel cancer and support lowering the screening age in response to the increasing rates of bowel cancer in younger people.
Mike made a miraculous comeback to racing, at Round 4 of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia in late July, just six weeks after his surgery, and with chemotherapy yet to commence. He returned to his regular driving duties alongside Garth Walden at Sydney Motorsport Park in the Bowel Cancer Australia Mercedes.
It was an eventful day with a couple of off-track excursions in qualifying, but a great result in Race 1 with 2nd in the AM class and 10th outright.
Both drivers were exploring the limits in qualifying and had excursions at Turn 1, but fortunately there was no major damage to the Mercedes and Mike scored a personal best while Garth set a time good enough to score a spot in the Top 10 Shootout.
In the race, Mike ran a conservative opening stint on a hot and greasy track, before handing over to Garth who charged to the finish.
The Bowel Cancer Australia Mercedes was on the track again for Round 5 of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia at Queensland Raceway, with the race culminating in 3rd place and a podium finish.
The campaign exceeded its revised target of $150,000.
If you were inspired by RAM Motorsport's fundraising activities and would like to support Bowel Cancer Australia through a company fundraiser get in touch with us through our webform
