#StrengthForJared

He’s represented Australia at the Olympics, he’s an Enduro World Series Champion, taken podiums at Downhill World Cups and apart from being a top bloke, Gravesy is widely regarded as the best Four-cross racer of all time taking the World Cup title three times.

Now Jared Graves faces his biggest challenge yet.

September 5, 2018 – Jared’s Enduro World Series Year was over.


Back home in Toowoomba, Australia, Jared collapsed, waking up to Paramedics by his side.

This is what Jared said in his own words: “In Whistler I suffered a seizure, and woke up from one last Thursday morning to paramedics taking me off to hospital, where tests and scans were done to discover I have a tumor growing in my brain.”

This is a ride that Jared Graves and his wife Jess never expected.

And Tuesday, September 18 – is at the starting line of a new challenge, as Jared will undergo life-changing surgery.

You might be wondering why we have launched #StrengthForJared?

Being a Pro Athlete – while you can be insured for crashing on track – there’s no income protection when something like this arises.

These are the cold, hard facts Jared’s facing:

o The location of the tumor is positioned closely to a vital area of the brain which has the potential to paralyze the left side of his body.

o Craniotomy surgery to remove the Tumor - Jared will be awake for part of the surgery as the Neurosurgeon attempts to remove most of the tumor and perform motor function tests.

o Only then can his medical team work out the best course of action. It could mean physiotherapy and up to seven months of chemotherapy – starting with specialized radiation treatment five days a week in Brisbane – around an hour and a half from family and friends in Toowoomba (Jared is temporarily unable to drive a car due to his recent history of seizures).

And the real kicker – the reality of no income as the EWS 2018-year finishes for an athlete whose sole career has been based on racing bikes professionally since he left high school.

Jared’s ongoing care is not just about the “now”, it about what’s ahead for both Jared and Jess.

When faced with the fact that across all Australian Brain Cancers, the survival rate after five years is only 22% - the reality hits home hard.

This is all unfolding as Jared’s Pro Riding career finishes mid-season.

With #StrengthForJared – we know Jared has got this!

And all going to plan with Jared back to full health, Jared and Jess will donate to the Charlie Teo Foundation to help support their ongoing research into Brain Cancer.

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About Team Jared And Your Support:

 #StrengthForJared is a Team effort by Jessie Graves (Jared Graves Wife), Ryan Myler- #StrengthForJared GoFundMe Organiser a

 Ryan is one ofJ ared’s MTB riding mates from his home town in Toowoomba – Queensland Australia.

 Your support of  StrengthForJared will help support Jared and Jess in the weeks and months ahead which may include:

- Medical Testing
- Specialist Visits
- Post Operative Care and Support
- Travel between Toowoomba and Brisbane for Chemotherapy/Radiation treatment
- Living expenses during and post treatment.
 
We know Jared has his first surgery on Tuesday September 18 – only then will his medical team have a better understanding of what lies ahead in terms of Jared’s treatment and support once the Tumor is removed. We will keep you updated as best we can.

Jared and Jessie are the 100% beneficiaries for the #StrengthForJared campaign, meaning all money raised will head their way.

As Jared posted on his Instragram account (view here: http://bit.ly/2NgvS52):  “If you feel like you want to help out that would be awesome. It’s still a bit early to know exactly what we will need, but any single cent more than what is needed will be donated back to brain cancer research.”

If you have any questions please reach out here or on the Strength For Jared Facebook page. 
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