This is the 5th year that I’m riding in Bicycles Battling Cancer, an American Cancer Society fundraising ride. I have partnered with Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) for this ride, and all monies raised through this site or sent by cheque will support CCS.

Why do I ride to support CCS? Here are some of my reasons:

1. My brother, Brad, to whom I dedicate my ride, was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia in December, 2016. At only 57 years old, he added the role of cancer-fighter to his list of accomplishments. To keep this as a chronic disease, Brad has to take oral chemotherapy every day with no end in sight. While his leukemia is in control, he's experiencing some notable side effects from chemotherapy, leaving him with aches, pains, and some troubles breathing. But he's alive, in part because of research that is funded by CCS.

2. My young cousin, Micah, was 15 months old when he was diagnosed with high grade neuroblastoma. After 8 years of treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, surgery, and other experimental treatments, Micah has no evidence of disease. He is no longer receiving active treatment, but remains under the watchful eyes of his oncology teams in San Diego and LA. His other more recent accomplishments include starting the Survivorship program (yay!!!), and being named one of St. Baldrick's Foundation Ambassadors (https://www.stbaldricks.org/ambassadors#micah) for 2020! 

3. My friend Sue, who was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer last year. She underwent surgery and radiation therapy, which seems to have halted her breast cancer, but she had a wound infection that was hard to diagnose and took many, many months to resolve, and, more recently, suffered from fractured ribs that occurred because of her radiation therapy. But she keeps on fighting!

4. My friend, Steve, who is just starting his cancer battle. He was diagnosed with rectal cancer in late 2019, with aggressive treatment starting in mid-February of this year. He is a wonderful and kind man, loving husband, father to 3 terrific young women, grandfather to 2 delightful grandkids, and "Papa" to the sweetest beagle. Most importantly, he shares my love of the Montreal Canadiens, despite their abysmal performance this year. Let's all keep Steve in our thoughts as he begins his cancer journey!

5. My cousin, Anne, who was cured of thyroid cancer more than 30 years ago.

6. My father and my mother, each of whom died of different types of gastrointestinal cancers, 21 and 11 years ago respectively.

7. My maternal uncle and paternal aunt, each of whom died of different types of cancer, 23 and 50 years ago respectively.

8. . My good friends, Judy, who died of breast cancer in 1988, and George, who died of leiomyosarcoma in 2016.

9. All my other friends and family members who have been diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately, that’s a really large number!

Cancer sucks and it plays no favorites. It is indiscriminate and totally unfair. I have lost too many to this horrible illness, and hope not to lose anyone else. Cancer has touched me in more ways than I care to think about, so I'm trying to do whatever I can to help diminish its hold. I will ride wearing photos of Brad (on the left side of my jersey, near my heart), Micah (on the right, still close to my heart), and hope to find a place for Sue and Steve. I also wear a list of names of people for whom I'm riding on my back so everyone can read it (unfortunately, the list of "in memory of" is much longer than the list of "in honor of"). If you sponsor me in this ride, I'm happy to add any names of people for whom you would like me to ride. These people spur me on to complete this ride, even when I'm ready to quit - I don't want to let anyone down!

Please donate today and help me reach my fundraising goal! The money raised will help Canada’s brightest researchers make groundbreaking discoveries, provide cancer patients with much-needed support services and ensure that other life-changing work is possible.

Your generosity will help the Canadian Cancer Society continue to make the most impact, against the most cancers, in the most communities across the country.

Make your donation online – it’s fast, secure and will reduce administrative costs so more of your support goes towards the fight against cancer.

Thank you!