08 July 2025
Robinvale local Alan Davoli will hit the open outback road next month as part of the annual 4WD Prostate Cancer Rally to help shine a light on a disease that impacts more than 26,000 men a year.
The Prostate Cancer Rally, held August 23-30 to raise funds for Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) will see driving enthusiasts tour from Robinvale VIC through to Leeton NSW, carving a path through vineyards, red dirt roads and the Barossa.
Mr Davoli said he first joined the Rally four years ago after his own diagnosis with prostate cancer.
“I was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer in 2016 at age 51 after a routine blood test,” he said.
“I went on to have a radical prostatectomy and stereotactic radiation in 2026, followed by chemotherapy in 2017.
“Since then, I’ve been on hormone therapy to help keep the cancer at bay.
“It’s tough going but taking part in events like the Prostate Cancer Rally give me a lot of purpose and help me raise awareness of early detection so that other blokes don’t have to go through the same thing.
“Early detection can save your life, so my message is; don’t put it off. Go and get tested.”
Mr Davoli said he can’t wait to hit the road.
“We get to experience some amazing outback country towns and meet so many wonderful people along the way,” he said.
The Prostate Cancer Rally is organised by prostate cancer survivor Ross Alexander OAM, along with fellow organisers Trish and Peter Fehon. To date the annual event has raised around $800,000 since 2017, with hopes to hit $1 million for PCFA.
“Our message to all blokes is to get checked,” Mr Alexander said.
“Men have to talk about this disease as it is 1 in 5 men in their lifetime who are likely to get diagnosed, and 3,900 lose their lives every year.
“The reason I started is because I believe that the funds that go to research is what saved my life when I was diagnosed in 2013.
“Every dollar raised funds life-saving research and support services.”
PCFA CEO, Anne Savage, praised participants for once again buckling up to fight prostate cancer, Australia’s most commonly diagnosed cancer.
“The Prostate Cancer Rally has evolved into one of our biggest fundraising events for prostate cancer research, bringing us closer to reaching our goal of zero deaths from the disease,” she said.
“Thanks to the efforts of those involved raising funds and awareness, many more men have been tested for prostate cancer, and we have been able to fund a number of research projects and clinical trials.”
To support the 2025 Prostate Cancer Rally, visit prostatecancerrally.com.au.
For more information and to find a local support group, call 1800 22 00 99 or go to prostate.org.au.
