Dr Ganessan Kichenadasse, Oncologist from Flinders Medical Centre is getting on his bike, all in the name of charity as he competes in the social aspect of this year’s Tour de France.

Dr Kichenadasse will put his cycling skills to the test by riding 8 stages or 685km of the Tour de France, in order to raise $5,000 or more for both the FMC Foundation and the McGuinness McDermott Foundation.

Inspired by Lance Armstrong’s survival story, Dr Kichenadasse decided to specialise in Oncology – the branch of medicine concerned with the study and treatment of tumours (cancers); and over the last two years he has also developed a passion for cycling, just like his hero Lance.

Dr Kichenadasse will join seven other cyclists from the charity cycle team as they begin this legendary endurance race in the Pyrenees and finish with the grand final on the Champs Elysees in Paris.

With bulldozers set to move in on the site of the new $27 million Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer (FCIC) in a matter of weeks, Dr Kichenadasse is hoping that his cycling team will raise thousands of dollars to fund vital cancer research in the LIVESTRONG™ Cancer Research Centre within the new Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer; and to help care for kids with cancer at the Women and Children’s Hospital (WCH).

Dr Kichenadasse said: "I really enjoy cycling and I was looking for a new personal challenge, as well as helping to raise awareness about cancer and funds to fight the disease.

“One in three Australians will be affected by cancer within their lifetime. I am particularly interested in brain tumours, and although there is a lot happening in the understanding of the biology of such cancers, there has been only a marginal improvement in terms of survival outcomes.

“I hope that by completing this challenge I can inspire others to do something similar to raise awareness and funds for charity; as every single dollar raised will go to support vital research into cancer prevention, early intervention and innovative cures.”

You can support Dr Kichenadasse or the other riders participating in this challenge by making a donation online at his Everyday Hero page or call the FMC Foundation at 8204 5216.