News

From cancer to community champion

By Bree Harding

Sep 17, 2026

Mick Murray runs down the finish chute at the end of his first half marathon.

Shepparton cancer survivor Mick Murray, who was featured in The News on July 31, has achieved what he set out to earlier this year.

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After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer early last year, he was out of action for six months, but, as soon as he felt fit enough, he got straight back into running, training for his first half marathon on the Gold Coast this year.

Unfortunately, he was struck with polymyalgia rheumatica, a condition that attacks the joints, and his Gold Coast campaign ended.

But after getting it under control, he refocused his sights on running his first 21.1km race on home turf, at this year’s Shepparton Running Festival, all the while raising sponsorship funds to go towards GV Health Foundation’s $5 million fundraising appeal.

Cancer survivor Mick Murray with his grandchildren at this year's Shepparton Running Festival, where he completed his first half marathon.

Mick successfully completed his half marathon on August 16, and raised more than $1000 for the construction of a fully integrated cancer centre at GV Health in Shepparton.

The GV Health Foundation is calling on individuals, businesses and community groups to donate to its $5 million I Care for Cancer Care @ GV Health fundraising appeal to help bring first-class cancer care to the Goulburn Valley.

Donations can be made via the foundation’s website.

Community members interested in the various opportunities to contribute to and support the appeal can contact Amy De Paola via email at amy.depaola@gvhealth.org.au