The 2010 Ride to Conquer Cancer

On June 19 and 20, 2010 I embarked on my second Ride to Conquer Cancer. This year I was lucky to share this experience with my client Jeff Hornell of Sonray Sales and his girlfriend, Kimberly. This epic 255 km bike trek from Vancouver to Seattle takes place to raise money for BC Cancer Foundation. We (myself and my supportive fundraising team at Hot Tomali) have raised over $12,500 for this cause over the last two years, and it’s such a great fundraiser that I’ve already signed up to participate again in 2011.

This isn’t your average fundraising event. A 255 km bike ride is a physical feat. It’s something that you need to prepare for both physically and mentally. Even though the distance is broken up over two days, it’s enough to give you a sore backside, and some aches and pains that stay with you for a while. In spite of the distance this is not a macho race—it’s a “ride”. People of all ages and varying levels of fitness participate, not to prove something, but to “mean” something.

Along the route many riders bear yellow flags on their bikes. These riders are either cancer survivors or they are currently fighting cancer. Seeing these brave individuals push themselves with such determination is nothing short of inspiring.

After witnessing the Yellow Flags I am now resigned to the fact that no amount of fatigue I could experience would ever have quite the same perspective. For example, one rider that I encountered during the ride was moving slowly on the second morning. Very slowly. A volunteer at the first pit stop came in after stopping to speak with this particular rider and seeing if she needed a lift. She refused, and was determined to make it on her own steam no matter how long it took. What makes this particularly impressive was that she was doing this after having recently undergone two breast cancer surgeries and having one lung removed. She was not able to ride her bike up hills, and had to walk whenever she started to ascent. This was due to the fact that she had a broken rib at the time.

My fellow riders and I looked at each other in disbelief as we heard this story. I proclaimed on the spot that you wouldn’t hear another peep from me about my aches and pains for the rest of the trip. As tired and sore as we were, there were people out there doing the ride with us that were enduring a bigger physical challenge then we could ever even imagine. Their journey wasn’t going to last for two days—it is something that they will endure for the rest of their lives.

This was just one example of of many brave displays of courage witnessed during The Ride to Conquer Cancer. It’s just one example of why we need to maintain hope. It’s one example of why we need to raise money to improve treatments and support families affected by cancer.

In all, the 2009 Vancouver Ride to Conquer Cancer attracted 1,701 participants and raised $6.9 million dollars. In 2010, it attracted 2,252 participants that helped raise $9.2 million dollars. That’s $16.1 million dollars of fundraising in just two years. This is a level of funding that can make a significant difference where it is needed most. That kind of money can pay for much-needed medical trials, cutting edge equipment, and break through research.

I’d like to extend a big thank you to all of those who have supported me on my ride. I also need to acknowledge the great work done by the volunteers on The Ride to Conquer Cancer. They are the ones who really make this event possible. You guys rock!