I’m doing this for everyone who has been affected by cancer. For me, that starts with my Dad.
He died of cancer when he was 46. I was 16. I’m 47 now, which means I’ve just outlived him, and I’ve spent the last year or so thinking about how much of his life he didn’t get. He missed my twenties, my career, my kids. He missed being a grandfather. Thirty years on, I still notice the gap at the moments that matter.
That’s what cancer takes. Not just a person, but all the years that should have come after.
The good news is that the odds have improved a lot since then. Survival rates in Australia have risen substantially over the last three decades, and a big part of that is research and early detection funded by organisations like Cancer Council. Shitbox Rally is one of the largest community fundraisers for Cancer Council in the country, and 100% of the money we raise goes to them. The car, the fuel, the entry and the repairs are on us.
Our team is called Low Doc Rally Team. I’ve spent more than 20 years in finance, and “low doc” is a lending term for a loan with less paperwork than usual. It seemed about right for a car with no service history, questionable rego and no real chance of making it to Queensland in one piece.
We have to raise a minimum of $2,500 to get a start line. I’ve set our target at $10,000, because the minimum felt like doing the bare amount for a cause that deserves a lot more than that.
If you can spare something, every dollar helps and every donation over $2 is tax deductible. If you’d rather back the car than the cause, that’s fine too. Just know the car is a lost cause and the money isn’t.
Thanks for reading this far, and thank you for whatever you can give.
Mark Stevenson
Low Doc Rally Team
Proudly backed by Evolve Lending & Finance
Low Doc Rally Team are driving a $1,500 car from Albury-Wodonga to Mackay to raise money for Cancer Council
They're doing what!?
Shitbox Rally is a 7-day challenge like no other. Participants drive cars worth no more than $1,500 through some of Australia's most stunning (and often rugged) landscapes, all in support of cancer research. It's not a race — it's a challenge and more importantly, a celebration of the power of community.
Yes, the cars break down, and yes, there are plenty of unexpected twists along the way, but that's all part of the fun.
The rally is designed to be a colourful and unpredictable experience, where teams travel in small groups, helping each other along the way.
And when the day's drive ends, we gather around the campfire, share stories, and reflect on the day's achievements.
This event brings together people who have been impacted by cancer in different ways — whether it's through their own battles or through loved ones. Together we'll make memories that last a lifetime while supporting the fight against cancer.
Donate NowEvery rally. Every dollar.
Directly to Cancer Council.
Box Rallies is the largest funder of cancer research in Australia — outside of the government. Every dollar supports Cancer Council.
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Leading development of a novel epigenetic test to more accurately determine tumour risk — particularly for tumours misclassified by current clinical tools.
Developed innovative x-ray hardware under $0.5M that produces MRI-quality images and captures 3D scans during live treatment delivery.
Targeting pancreatic cancer via anti-fibrotic NID2 therapy combined with Gemcitabine/Abraxane chemotherapy to stratify and improve treatment outcomes.
Exploring genomics to identify high-risk patients earlier and guide development of new therapeutic strategies — improving survival chances.
Advanced pre-clinical evaluation of sphingosine kinase 1-targeting agents as a therapy for acute myeloid leukaemia.
Advancing CAR-T cell therapy for extracranial solid paediatric cancers.
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Harnessing epigenetics for early detection of residual and recurrent breast cancer through advanced liquid biopsy testing.
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A new targeted therapy for resistant HER2-positive breast cancers.
