Riding to conquer cancer

For participants of the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer benefitting the Alberta Cancer Foundation, the ride impacts everyone in a different way. Some are riding as survivors, some for recently diagnosed loved ones, and others as a tribute to someone lost to the battle.

Armand Pinel’s father Armand Sr., fought for 14 years, losing his battle this past January. The senior Pinel, who had been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, was given two second chances thanks to stem cell transplants that bought him approximately nine years cancer free.  

“When we found out about my dad’s diagnosis, there were stages we all went through. Shock, disbelief, anger and fear are some of the reactions and emotions we experienced,” said Pinel.

“I think it happens to us all in that we always hear of something awful happening to someone else, whether it is an accident or a serious health condition, and we know that it could happen to us or people close to us but we kind of ignore it and get used to the status quo.”

“Then a terrible thing like this happens and we think, ‘these things only happen to other people, not to us.’ Our fragile protective bubble we put ourselves in bursts. We started to worry about how our dad was doing emotionally and physically, how his health would hold up during treatment, if he was in pain at all and feared losing him and not having him in our lives anymore.”

Pinel said they had always been a close family, but the diagnosis brought the family even closer together. His dad was quiet with his thoughts and feelings about his cancer and how he felt physically, not wanting the focus to be on his illness but instead to be on the present and the time together.

It was in 2010 when Pinel first heard about the Ride to Conquer Cancer, when he saw a pamphlet at ATB. Not being one to exercise much, and barely ever riding bikes at the time he was a little apprehensive at the thought of raising $2,500, and riding just over 200km in two days, but when he questioned if he could do it, he thought of his dad’s struggle and knew there was no reason he couldn’t.

“What struck me the most was the symbolism I saw between the ride and many people’s journey when dealing with cancer,” said Pinel.

“The ride is a huge challenge in terms of fundraising, the training to prepare for riding over 200km, the fatigue and muscle pain that starts to seep in during the ride, dealing with adverse weather conditions such as rain and high winds, seeing another hill you have to climb. However, as much as the ride is a challenge, it is still nothing compared to what people with cancer face.

“Nevertheless, the first year I did this I had many thoughts of quitting but just kept thinking of my dad, his great attitude, perseverance and his will to live. It inspired me to push through. Adversity in life may seem insurmountable from a distance but it’s a matter of taking things one day and one challenge at a time. That will take what looks to be insurmountable and make it seem possible.”

The 2014 ride happens this weekend, Aug. 9-10, making this Pinel’s fourth time in the event. Since the first year he has grown to love cycling and being a part of the Ride to Conquer Cancer.

“It’s a fundraising event that I definitely want to continue supporting, either as a participant or as a volunteer,” said Pinel.

“The symbolism of the ride and the money raised gives hope to cancer sufferers that they will one day finish their journey, cured of cancer and reinforces that they are not alone in that journey.”

It can be tough asking the same people each year to commit funds to help him participate in the event and he has thought of maybe taking a year break to volunteer instead.

It’s thanks to funding, research and medical advances that Pinel’s father was able to continue on for 14 years after the initial diagnosis. He was able to witness grandchildren and even great grandchildren being born. He was able to take part in weddings and had many opportunities that would have been missed had the funding, research and medical advances not been there to help him have a chance to survive.