Even if riding a bicycle means a gruelling one day, 400 kilometer ride from Kelowna to Delta. The Ride2Survive is a physically and emotionally challenging journey I choose to participate in because those who battle cancer have a physical and emotional fight far greater than anything I could imagine.
Cancer Sucks!
Given that more than 250,000 new cases of cancer occurred in Canada in 2013, that about 2 out of 5 Canadians will develop cancer in their lifetimes and 1 in 4 will die of this insidious disease, I think we can all agree that cancer truly sucks.
Riding a Bicycle can Help!
The Ride2Survive is a fundraiser for Cancer Research through the Canadian Cancer Society. It is unique insofar that all funds raised go directly to cancer research. None of the money you donate is being used to fund the event itself. Riders, volunteers, and sponsors are supporting the ride so that all donations can be used for why we are doing this: to support the mission of the Canadian Cancer Society.
The money raised from this event helps fund leading-edge cancer research that is improving cancer treatments, preventing cancer and saving lives; provide reliable and up-to-date information on cancer, risk reduction and treatment; offer vital community-based support services for people living with cancer and their families; and advocate for healthy public policies.
And the work pays off: today 63% of Canadians diagnosed with cancer will survive at least 5 years after their diagnosis. Clearly we are not yet there. Please consider sponsoring me by making a donation to the Ride2Survive benefitting the Canadian Cancer Society online at http://convio.cancer.ca/goto/R2SKlaus. Any amount helps!
(Full disclosure: I have a torn rotator cuff and am on the waitlist for shoulder surgery. Should I get the surgery before the ride on 22-June, I am not likely to recover in time to do the full ride, or even a portion of it, in which case I will volunteer on and around Ride Day as much as I can to support those who ride.)
