Every year in October, Australia’s bike riding community rallies together for the Great Cycle Challenge which raises money for research into childhood cancer – with the simple aim of saving more lives.

The Great Cycle Challenge is a major fundraiser for the work done at Children’s Medical Research Institute in Westmead. Since 2013, riders have raised more than $40 million to help scientists work on a personalised approach to children’s cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Scientists want to change the lives of kids like Annabelle. The gorgeous three-year-old came home from preschool one day with a lump on her head after a fall. Her parents, Mel and Brendan, weren’t concerned until it developed into a sore, and then suddenly, she came out in bruises all over her legs.

“We had a new puppy, so we didn’t think too much of it. But when the doctor saw her bruises he said, ‘I’m sorry I hope I’m wrong but that is a telltale sign of leukaemia’.’’

Brendan said they were just shellshocked, and within 24 hours she was having a lumber puncture, spinal tap, and had started chemo.

“Even then, I just kept thinking that someone was going to tell us they got it wrong,’’ he said.

The good news for the family was that they had caught it very early, and since then, Annabelle has been taking oral chemo tablets at home, as well as weekly chemo at hospital, and is starting a new clinical trial shortly, which her family has been told may increase her survival chances by an extra 10%.

Despite the challenges she’s faced, Brendan tells beautiful stories of how easily Annabelle has adapted to her new normal. When the family recently made the tough decision to shave her head, Annabelle said her “hair had gone on holiday – to Melbourne’’. She has also nicknamed her nasal tube “spaghetti – like it’s her friend’’.

Brendan’s best friend Tony has been riding in the Great Cycle Challenge for many years, choosing to ride over 24 hours as his own personal goal. This year, the two friends will ride and fundraise together.

“I look at the timeline of how fast Annabelle was diagnosed and treated and it’s amazing,’’ Brendan said. “We still have a long road ahead of us, but it’s exciting that she’s been offered this new treatment that improves her chances - and that’s because of research.

“We can always do more to help these kids, and the only way we will do that is through research and development.’’

We are calling on all Australians to sign up, choose how many kilometres you’d like to ride throughout the month of October, and raise funds to help kids like Annabelle. Find out more and register for free at: greatcyclechallenge.com.au