His brother Andrew Lidgard was just 35 when he lost a very short fight with an aggressive and rare form of cancer, peripheral t-cell lymphoma, on Tuesday, April 2.
‘He was diagnosed on December 17 and moved into our house so we could support and care for him, but after two unsuccessful bouts of chemotherapy he lost the battle,’ Mr Lidgard said.
‘I had signed up for the ride when he was diagnosed but it is a lot more sentimental now and I have extra motivation to get through the ride.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW‘He was my brother and best friend and he was a very selfless man who wanted to do what he could to find a cure for cancer.’
Mr Lidgard (31) said he was doing the ride to fulfil his brother’s wishes.
‘He has done all he can do. Now it is up to us to carry on with Andrew’s wishes; whether it’s by participating or donating, it all helps,’ he said.
‘I know he would want me to do this. He loved the idea and he will be pushing me through the pain barrier.
Mr Lidgard said he had been training a couple of times a week, but had recently taken a break due to the circumstances. Now he is getting back into full training.
The father of two needs to raise a minimum of $2500 to take part in the Sunsuper Ride to Conquer Cancer and has a goal of raising $10,000.
‘I don’t know a lot of people so it could be tough but it’s for a great cause and I’m determined to do it,’ he said.