This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Motorcycle Ride For Dad bringing awareness to prostate cancer with a Cross Canada Tour.
The tour starts August 1 in Ottawa, Ont. and ends August 29 in Victoria, BC. Riders will stop in North Battleford August 20 for a barbecue from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and a performance by Canadian entertainment icon Wayne Rostad at Mark's Work Warehouse from 3 - 4 p.m.
Garry Janz and Byron Smith started the ride 10 years ago in Ottawa after being inspired by their friend, Charlie Pester, who had gone home to plan his own funeral due to prostate cancer.
"If someone had told me a year ago about the PSA (prostate-specific-antigen) test," said Pester, "I wouldn't be going home this afternoon to arrange me funeral" These words raised over 5 million dollars towards the fight against prostate cancer.
"People heard the roar of motorcycles and recognized the need for awareness and research into prostate cancer." explained Garry Janz, President of Motorcycle Ride For Dad.
There has been National support from Canadian Military and Canadian Army Veterans as well as long time involvement from the Police Association Services and RCMP.
Evelyn Bull and her husband Glen Skarra started the ride in Saskatoon last year as part of the prairie stage.
In June, Saskatchewan gathered 408 bikes, 465 riders and raised $73,000 towards prostate cancer research.
Bull and Skarra will be riding from Saskatoon to Edmonton and before taking part in the ride each raised $1,000 towards the cause.
They have been given the honour of being Van Guard riders, which means they will be riding up front with the dignitaries.
Bull will be riding with a stuffed goose the whole way, which is in memory of Pester, whose nickname was 'the goose'.
Skarra, the Aussie-escort, will be carrying an Australian flag in honour of Simon Buckley who came to Canada last October from Australia to learn awareness for prostate cancer. He was tragically killed in Argentina before getting to be part of his first ride.
Bull will be riding with her husband and wanted to emphasize that you don't have to be a motorcycle rider to help the cause.
Most of the riders will be in the Baby Boomer age range. This is the generation who is at greatest risk for prostate cancer.
"Twenty years ago, this wouldn't have worked," said Smith. "The generation before us accepted that you just die of cancer. Boomers won't accept that. They know there's going to be a cure"
Don Cherry and Rick Hiller are both Motorcycle Ride For Dad 10th Anniversary Co-Chairs who hope that Canadians will support the tour and donate to the cause.
Donate now at www.RideForDadCanada.org or dial 1-866-908-3058. Text 4dad to 30333 to make a $10 donation. By donating you not only support the Motorcycle Ride for Dad's fight against prostate cancer but the Military Families Fund as well.
