Riding to find a cure

Times Reporter

 

Cancer is still a scary word, and has affected almost everyone in one way or another. Thanks to the continued support and outpouring of donations made globally every year, the fight against cancer is getting stronger. 

After being personally affected by cancer in some way or another, five local men are training to participate in the ride to conquer cancer.  Colin Lenox, Chris Iversen, Wes Lewis, Armand Pinel, and Strathmore High School student Jonah Zankl are preparing for the ride, which begins June 23. 

“I got involved after I had several students pass away, some friends and my father finally passed away from prostate cancer, and caused me to want to find something to do to number one lessen my chance of getting it, which exercise is a great way for men to decrease their chance of prostate cancer,” said Lenox.

“This just came up, and I saw it one day and said ‘yeah I want to do that and started doing it.’” 

“I’m pretty much the same, I have a couple of family members that have battled cancer and lost to cancer. Colin and I both teaching in the same school, we’ve seen the same students pass away too, so it’s something that’s hit us,” said Iversen.

Cancer is a widespread disease, and thanks to certain cancers being in the spotlight, such as breast cancer, the publicity and support have made it a very treatable thanks to early detection and knowledge. 

“I think if we can start doing the same thing for a variety of other cancers, prostate cancer, everything else, by putting the funds into it we can maybe get the word out,” said Lenox.

“We can also have a lot of, basically the research done…who knows. It might be 2012’s ride that raises just enough money that the right mixture in a test tube happens and we’ve got it.” 

Lenox and Lewis participated in the ride last year. It is the first year for the other three members of the team. The ride spans two days, and over 200 kilometres. Lenox said in 2011 there were 2,300 riders, with $8.6 million raised. He would like to see that number reach $12 million this year.

“I just knew in the first 20 minutes this wasn’t going to be a one time thing, it was going to keep happening. You see the people with the yellow flags, they’re the cancer survivors, and you get a chance to ride next to them and talk to them, and the inspiration is amazing,” said Lenox.

“It really truly is inspiring in every way, you don’t just have to ride. It’s challenging, but it’s designed to be that way. It’s designed to make you put out at least a little bit towards what some loved one, or some child, that’s sitting in the Alberta Children’s Hospital having chemo right now is going through. That’s what this whole thing is about, it’s so cool it truly is, I can’t say enough about it.

“This is what it is all about, people banding together to support each other. Why am I doing it? Because there is somebody out there who can’t. That’s what we’re doing it for, because that kid who is in the Children’s Hospital or that person that is undergoing chemo or radiation therapy right now, maybe I am going to be riding next to them next year, that’s the cool part.” 

“To quote others that have said it, they say the pain that we go through on the ride is nothing compared to what someone fighting cancer goes through anyways,” said Iversen.  

Riding and donating are not the only ways people can help out. By going to conquercancer.ca people can look into becoming a member for some of the support teams.

Many people are needed to help put everything together; they need motorcycle riders who ride ahead of the pack and make sure it is safe for the riders, there are people riding in vans to pick up people who are maybe cramping, rest station help, people to set up the tents at the main camp. 

The five men have a combined goal of raising a minimum of $13,200 and to date have raised $7,779.45. To donate to the team go to www.conquercancer.ca and look for team Prairie Winds. Otherwise, you can donate to an individual rider by entering their name into the search bar.