Since deciding to join this epic journey with the GIVETOLIVE foundation, I’ve been more than excited about sharing my plans for this cancer awareness ride from Vancouver BC to Austin TX which is approximately 5000km over two weeks.
From the majority of people, I get either (or sometime both) of the following reactions:
1- A slight head tilt to the left combined with the “are you nuts” look.
2 – Why?
To answer these question, I’ll start with the “why” which will also answer the first question… No I’m not crazy, I’m just lucky.
Cancer is something that is ever so present in our lives, can you tell me about one person that you know who’s life has not been affected by cancer in some way? Maybe they’ve had it, seen a close friend or family member fight through it. Maybe it’s looking down at the inevitable probability that:
- 40% of Canadian women and 45% of men will develop cancer during their lifetimes.
- An estimated 1 out of every 4 Canadians are expected to die from cancer.
Cancer is the leading cause of premature death in Canada: 1,026,600 years of life were lost in 2004 as a result of cancer.
For me it’s a little bit more than simple statistics, breast cancer is very present in my family, it hits the young and healthy and has proven to be unforgiving. To name a few who have lost their battles, my maternal grand mother at age 36, a cousin at 42 and another one at 50.
It baffles my mind that as advanced as we have become in terms of science, that we still have not found a cure for cancer, therefore every dollars spent on research is a dollar working at saving lives.
So here is me doing my part…. I am have a certain ability when it comes to fundraising, some say I may have even missed my calling…. I with a little sales pitch, a recently managed to turn about $100 worth of baking supplies into a $1,1070.25 bake sale over 4 hrs. By reaching my target through this fundraising campaign, I will have raised $20,000 for cancer over the last two years.
Combine my fundraising abilility with my love for sport and voila, you have your answer, no I’m not crazy, I’m just lucky to be healthy enough to push my body through 5000km of open road while I fundraise and raise awareness for cancer.
DISCLAIMER: A small part of me really hopes that by doing so, karma will be on my side and I will not be the 1 of 4 canadians to lose their fight.
Previous Fundraising Events:
1995-1998: Startup – Commonwealth Award -thousands raised and applied to the program since 1995 via YouthNet/CHEO.
12 hr Spin-a-Thon 2010: $500 for Heart and Stroke Foudation
CN Cycle for Cheo 2010: $2600 raised for CHEO Cancer wing
