Pedal power to assist with Mark Mickan’s bid to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease

Nine years after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, SA footy hero Mark Mickan is not giving up on his relentless fight to help find a cure.

Mark Mickan is not giving up on his relentless fight to help find a cure for Parkinson’s disease.

Nine years after being diagnosed with the debilitating condition, the South Australian Football Hall of Fame member – with support from the SANFL and local football community – is continuing to lead the charge to raise vital funds for research and treatment.

The 64-year-old, whose dad, Bill, had Parkinson’s and his older brother, Kym, is battling it, will take to the bike later this month as the frontman for the third Pedal to Fight Parkinson’s event at Adelaide Oval.

The 24-hour stationary cycling challenge will run for 24 hours from noon on Wednesday, July 23, with a host of SA sporting identities joining Mickan in pedalling as many as 25 bikes simultaneously.

“This is an event that is really close to my heart,’’ said Mickan, who is an ambassador for The Hospital Research Foundation Group – Parkinson’s.

“Not only do I have Parkinson’s but my brother does as well – and it’s really caught up with him.

Mark Mickan (middle) on the bike at Adelaide Oval with fellow Pedal to Fight Parkinson’s cyclists, SANFL head of talent and 1993 Magarey Medallist Brenton Phillips (left) and Glenelg footballer Jonty Scharenberg. Picture: Ben Clark

“Everyone’s Parkinson’s condition is different and I’m one of the fortunate ones because I was able to have an operation on my brain in 2019 and it served me very well.

“Not everyone has that operation and gets a good result, but I was one of the lucky ones.

“I wish I didn’t have Parkinson’s, of course, but I am so grateful for being as able as I am at this stage of the condition.

“There are so many people who are disadvantaged by it – in Australia someone gets diagnosed with the condition every 40 minutes – so this opportunity to raise money for Parkinson’s is fantastic.

“To get the SANFL and its clubs involved, along with the support of the community, is really special.

“I live in hope that we will find a cure, but in the meantime money raised will help make the lives of people who have Parkinson’s a little easier by giving them services that can lighten the load a little bit on loved ones who care for them.’’

Former star ruckman Mickan, an inaugural Adelaide Crow, played 37 AFL games for the club from 1991-93 (winning its first club champion award in 1991), 48 games for Brisbane from 1987-90 and 139 SANFL games for West Adelaide from 1981-86 and 1991-94.

He coached the Bloods to the 2015 SANFL premiership before being diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2016.

The father of two boys who are forging their own way in the sporting world – 18-year-old Fletcher is a rising SANFL and Adelaide Footy League boundary and field umpire and 13-year-old Spencer is a promising goalkeeper for St Michael’s College’s Year 7 soccer team – Mickan said he was fortunate to have benefited from innovative surgery in 2019.

Mark Mickan at training with the Crows in 1992. Picture: Ray Titus

Mark Mickan practising for the 24-hour Pedal to Fight Parkinson’s event at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Ben Clark

The surgery involved three implants being placed inside his brain and linked to two pulse generators on either side of his chest.

The implants and generators help control tremors and other symptoms.

Mickan had a recent setback but has since recovered.

“I’m basically battery operated,’’ he said.

“I have a battery in my chest which powers the stimulus in my brain and the battery went flat not long ago and I was shaking like a leaf.

“That just shows how fortunate I am to have had the surgery. Not everyone is fortunate enough to get such a good result.’’

SANFL chief executive Darren Chandler said Pedal to Fight Parkinson’s was a fantastic opportunity for members of the football community and sporting public to stand with Mickan and ride in support of all those living with Parkinson’s.

“The football community is renowned for rallying to support one another and the Pedal to Fight Parkinson’s event is a tremendous example of this,” Chandler said.

To register a team or as an individual, go to https://www.pedaltofightparkinsons.com.au/.

Originally published as Pedal power to assist with Mark Mickan’s bid to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease