Jacqueline Sloan was on a flight from Sydney to Perth when she decided to put on a documentary to help pass the five-hour journey.

Little did she know that the film - about Tour de Cure, a group that raises money for cancer research through cycling and other events - would set her on a path toward joining their signature ride.

That ride is a 1408km journey with 20,663 metres of climbing from Canberra to Hobart. This year’s event marks 20 years of Tour de Cure - and, in a powerful coincidence, 20 years since Sloan was first diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I was flying to WA in July this year and watched the Tour de Cure documentary on the plane. It was so inspiring and I immediately wanted to be a part of it,” Sloan said.

“As soon as I knew it was TDC’s 20th year I felt I was meant to be involved. I was already a keen road cyclist, and it was also 20 years since my breast cancer diagnosis - it just felt right.”

The ride is deeply personal for Sloan, who has been diagnosed with cancer twice, has lost her father and aunt to the disease, and has spent the past 14 years as a GP in Gerringong supporting patients through their own diagnoses.

“I know personally the huge impact cancer has not only on the individual, but on their family and loved ones. I've lost many close relatives to cancer, so I'm passionate about spreading knowledge and awareness around prevention and early detection,” she said.

“And raising money for research to find a cure and develop as many medical breakthroughs as possible. The possibility of discovering cures for more cancers is so exciting. I'm also driven to help so the next generation don't have to experience a cancer diagnosis or losing a loved one - and at least have more effective treatments.”

The Tour de Cure Signature Tour she’ll be riding begins in Canberra, travels across the Snowy Mountains, through Victoria, across Bass Strait by ferry, and then down through Tasmania to finish in Hobart. It will be the longest and most challenging ride she has ever attempted.

“There are some tough climbing days, and about 150–200km per day over the nine days of riding. It will definitely be physically challenging for me.”

Although the ride isn’t until March, Sloan has already begun preparing - and getting excited.

“I'm most excited to achieve the distance on the bike and to ride in the peloton with the wonderful TDC riders. I've been on training rides in Sydney and met a few of them already, and I can't wait to do the ride together with the riders and crew, supporting each other along the way.

“I’m cycling a lot at the moment. Luckily I have a wonderful group of cyclists in Kiama who I ride with two or three times a week. They make the training lots of fun, and I couldn't do all the kilometres without them. And luckily we have rides like Saddleback Mountain and Jamberoo Mountain Pass to get the climbing practice in too.”

Jackie Sloan (far right) with the 'Friday Flaps’ cycling group that she rides with. Photo: Jacqueline Sloan

Sloan will also be riding in honour of her father and her Auntie Dotty.

“I’m very proud to be riding for my dad and Auntie Dotty. My dad died in his early 60s - way too young - and he missed out on retirement and seeing his grandchildren grow up. And my kids missed out on knowing what an amazing person he was,” she said.

“And my Auntie Dotty - well, we lost her a few months ago to pancreatic cancer. She was an inspiration, a theatre nurse who spent her whole life caring for others.”

Alongside the ride itself, Sloan has launched a local raffle to boost her fundraising for Tour de Cure, with generous prizes donated by local businesses.

She has already raised almost $10,000, prompting her to increase her goal from $11,000 to $15,000.

“So many individuals have donated or purchased raffle tickets already, which is amazing - I’m so grateful,” she said.

“People can visit my fundraising page to make a donation or purchase raffle tickets. You can also pop into Gerringong Medical Practice to buy tickets Monday to Saturday, and I’ll be at the Kiama Farmers’ Market on 3 December, so come say hello and buy a ticket.”