In late 2006, a group of PA Hospital physiotherapists laced up their runners to remember a colleague. Twenty years on, the Smiddy Fun Run marks its two decades of fundraising and getting around Adam on Thursday 19 November.
Adam Smiddy was a beloved member of the PA Hospital’s staff. A dedicated PA physiotherapist and a keen triathlete and runner, Adam was 26 when he died on 6 August 2006, six months after being diagnosed with melanoma. His colleagues wanted to honour him through something he loved, so they organised a run around the hospital campus to coincide with his birthday in November.
That first morning became a PA tradition. Each year staff, researchers, friends and families gather early in the morning dawn to run or walk 5km and share a light breakfast together afterwards. This year's theme, Around Adam, carries a simple idea: what goes around gives back. And give back the Run has, having raised over $215,000 dollars since its inception.
These funds have supported melanoma and skin cancer research on the campus in several ways. They have helped the Foundation back the purchase of the VivaScope 1500 and the first prototype of the VECTRA 3D imaging machine, and fund research at The University of Queensland's Dermatology Research Centre, based on the campus and research projects in squamous cell carcinoma.
Port of Brisbane has been part of that story as the run's major sponsor and a Foundation partner since 2013. Many of its people work outdoors, on the water and on sites, so sun safety is personal.
"Most of us have a skin-cancer story. Many of us have had spots removed, and some colleagues have faced much more serious diagnoses. That makes the education piece real," Port of Brisbane Community Relations Manager Edward Harwood said. "There's also pride in knowing our support helps researchers push towards solutions that can benefit thousands."
PA Research Foundation Community Partnerships Manager Ellen Dann said the milestone belonged to the people who keep turning up.
"Adam's colleagues started something small and personal, and the PA community has carried it for 20 years. Every registration, every donation and every lap backs the researchers and clinicians here at the PA who work to find melanoma and skin cancer earlier and treat it better. We're so grateful to everyone who runs, walks or sponsors a mate, and to Port of Brisbane for their continued support," she said.
The 5km course can be run or walked, with early bird registration open until 5 November. Register, start a team or support a runner, or donate directly to Smiddy Fun Run’s 20th anniversary here.
