Suncorp has shared personal stories from its employees on the importance of the insurer’s Spirit to Cure cancer research initiative.

The three-day event saw Suncorp employees cycle more than 350km across Queensland to raise funds for cancer research, support and prevention in conjunction with the Tour the Cure charity.

Suncorp Business Analyst Neil Mackenzie, who marked 15 years since he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, says the event gives him a chance to give back to support the research that helped him survive his diagnosis.

“I was lucky to have the benefit of the research into the treatment, to then survive what I had.”

Mr Mackenzie had only just returned to Australia, found out his wife was pregnant and began working at Suncorp when he found a lump on the back of his neck before being diagnosed on the same day as his sister’s birthday.

He says he became fixated on beating the diagnosis and continued working throughout his treatment.

“Suncorp were really great; they looked after me the whole time. I was able to drop my hours to four days a week or part time, depending on how I was going,” Mr Mackenzie said.

“It’s great that now I can give back personally and have the opportunity through Suncorp.”

The insurer has shared other similar stories to recognise the impact of cancer support events such as Spirit to Cure.

The program has raised more than $1 million so far and other events are planned with a target goal of $1.5 million.