Dan Morrissey has always been a knock-around type of guy. For many years Dan and his wife, Kylie, have focused on the health of Kaide, his son, a promising MTB and Road cyclist, living with Type 1 Diabetes, and also gluten intolerant. Together with Kaide’s sister, Jacinta, the family have worked hard to try and provide opportunities for each other.
The Morrissey family were ‘super excited’ when Kaide was selected to participate in the 2020 Team NovoNordisk Talent ID Camp in Europe. TNN is unusual is that it is the only pro-cycling team that comprises entirely of athletes living with Type 1 Diabetes.
However, their excitement turned south when COVID hit and Kaide was unable to travel. Nevertheless, he applied again in 2021 and was selected, however Australian Government travel restrictions meant that there was no way that Kaide could be guaranteed return access to Australia. After a third year of trying, Kaide made the 2022 Talent ID camp and spent two weeks in Italy - training like a pro!
Click here to get an overview of the TNN TalentID program - and a few glimpses of Kaide.
Kaide, pumping it up on his MTB at Bare Creek, last week
In the lead up to sitting his Higher School Certificate last year, Kaide rode down to Wollongong to watch the UCI World Road Championships, together with Dan. And Dan and Kylie were ready to support Kaide as he sought out a pathway towards a professional cycling career.
However, just a few weeks later, Dan was not feeling the best and was in and out hospital, undergoing tests before his challenging news, shared to many both privately and publicly:
“I’ve been diagnosed with stage four cancer - in a scary amount of places.”
In the brief six weeks since he was shocked with the news and the extent of the cancer, Dan was amazed with the support of Kylie, Jacinta and Kaide. Dan commented that a caring family is so important in times likes these, and he loves and appreciates their never-ending support.
Russell ‘Rusty’ Menzies, Randwick’s Directeur Sportiff, was on the phone within 24 hours and along with his great wife, and weeks of valuable time were picked up by referring Dan to a leading specialist.
Initially, Dan was unsure if he could be treated at all. He spent many weeks laying down or sleeping, feeling sick and tired, plus hardly eating. Within a month Dan started on a clinical trial with regular immunotherapy treatment, and then changing to targeted tablet therapy, that, in Dan’s words “appears to be working….. I’m now on another 12 tablets every day on top of the other 11 tablets I already take daily… I believe this is ground-breaking therapy with a very high success rate. So far, my doctors are positive with my results.”
Dan is very grateful for the care provided by clinicians, nurses, case managers - everyone. Yet he is also mindful that as difficult as his journey is, in a large majority of cases, cancer is able to be successfully treated and managed. For Kaide, that’s unlikely to be the case as he continues to live with T1D.
Dan is determined to end 2023 in a much better place than it started. His specialist said ‘no outdoor cycling’; and only light rides on an indoor trainer. However, by late January, Dan took Kaide’s MTB for an easy 8-km ride and found that it helped both his mind - and hopefully his body. His treatment appeared to be working and showing positive signs, and Dan started to get back on the bike for very easy cruise rides.
By the Australia Day long-weekend, Kaide was participating in the Randwick Wings Development Squad training camp in Canberra. Dan and Kylie supported Kaide, taking some down time to walk through the Australian Botanic Gardens.
Nick Johns, well known in the Sydney cycling community and beyond, is Captain of our Randwick Racing Men’s Team. Nick was previously the driving force behind Apres Velo Racing. With strong connections to bicycle and accessory suppliers, Nick was the ‘go to’ man, when something wasn’t quite working right on the bike for Kaide - and for Dan, too!
Nick heard about Dan’s journey and recognised how important cycling is to Dan - to help him with both his physical and mental health. Nick connected Dan and Kaide with Norco Australia and did an amazing deal for both Dan and Kaide via 99 Bikes. Dan now has a Norco Sight e-mountain bike for local path rides plus hopefully some easy fire trails with Kaide.
Nick, Dan and Kaide, with Dan’s new Norco Sight e-MTB
“Hopefully, my treatment continues to work, my health continues to improve, and I can get in some nice rides and smile.”
PS: Dan does not recommend ignoring medical advice, unless it is good for your mental and physical health.