My name is Brent McFadzen, and I have been part of Motorcycle Ride For Dad Saskatoon since 2018. For me, being able to combine a...
Brent McFadzen
Why We Ride
Every year thousands of Canadians from coast to coast to coast participate in the Ride For Dad's fight against prostate cancer. Participation takes many forms; volunteers, riders, donors, fundraisers, and sponsors. Everyone has a reason WHY they joined the fight...What's your WHY?
This section is dedicated to those special people who provided the motivation to become a Ride For Dad prostate cancer fighter. We invite you to share your story, post a tribute to your WHY.
Please the Submit my Why button below to contribute your submission.
Edmonton Chapter
Edmonton
We ride for all the men in our lives........sons, brothers, fathers, uncles, grandfathers, great grandfathers, friends, and our brothers from another mother. We ride for...
Jared Smith
Red Deer
As to why I ride, about 5 years ago my attention was brought to the ride (the Rural AB Ride at the time) because I...
Trever Sparrow
Red Deer
My name is Trever Sparrow and when I first got involved with Ride for Dad in 2015, it was a way for me to give...
Amanda Williams
Saskatoon
The first thing that drew me in was that I love motorcycles and my dad used to ride so my interest was peaked! When I...
Byron Smith
Ottawa
Why I ride: Freedom & Camaraderie. Riding with friends and strangers but still alone with your thoughts. Why I Ride For Dad: Because I believe...
Why We Ride
Brent McFadzen
Saskatoon
Author: Brent McFadzen
My name is Brent McFadzen, and I have been part of Motorcycle Ride For Dad Saskatoon since 2018.
For me, being able to combine a passion for riding, together with the ability to help raise funds for Prostate Cancer Research and Awareness is fantastic.
We are fortunate to have a dedicated executive group, with a wide variety of skills that blend together very well.
Our ultimate goal is to provide each and every participant in our events with the best possible experience – and to position ourselves as a well-respected leader within the local charitable community.
Given the significant impact that COVID has had on our ability to provide our traditional one-day event, we have been able to pivot our fundraising strategies, and develop new and exciting ways to engage with our supporters electronically, and via social media.
Edmonton Chapter
Edmonton
Author: Terry Willisko
We ride for all the men in our lives……..sons, brothers, fathers, uncles, grandfathers, great grandfathers, friends, and our brothers from another mother.
We ride for all those men who have battled prostate cancer and are no longer with us and we ride to celebrate all those men who have battled prostate cancer and are still riding with us
We ride for all the families affected by prostate cancer and offer our support to those families as the men in their lives go through the treatment process and those families who grieve the loss of loved ones from prostate cancer.
We ride to get our message out to all men over the age of 40…….GET YOURSELF CHECKED
We celebrate and ride for all the men we have met at various Ride for Dad events over the last several years who have come to thank Ride for Dad for the Get Checked message. I recall one rather large powerful biker-looking gentleman covered in tattoos with a Ride for Dad patch on his vest at the motorcycle show. He was looking at our ride route map and I asked if he been on the prior year’s ride. He did not say anything at first, but the tears started streaming down his face, and through those tears, he said that he did not ride last year because he was being treated for prostate cancer and had recently been given a clean bill of health by his doctors.
The Edmonton Ride for Dad chapter has a practice of giving out the Prostate Cancer Survivor pin to all known prostate cancer survivors we encounter. As I gave him one of those pins and we shook hands he explained that he had followed our get-checked message and had his PSA checked at a mobile testing facility that had been set up at one of our poker stops two years prior. He said that check saved his life and he has been a part of our ride since.
We ride so that we can give away more Prostate Cancer Survivor pins
Jared Smith
Red Deer
Author: Jared Smith
As to why I ride, about 5 years ago my attention was brought to the ride (the Rural AB Ride at the time) because I work for Telus. They wanted some local representation there for the ride. After that, it became my annual “big ride” event. About a year after I started going regularly, a close family friend was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. He was diagnosed early and beat it easily due mainly to the early diagnosis. This cemented my desire to support this charity, and I’ve been doing it ever since.
Last year, I participated in the 2nd Red Deer Ride for Dad and was approached by the Ride Chairperson, who asked if I wanted to take a more direct role by joining the executive council. I agreed.
Trever Sparrow
Red Deer
Author: Trever Sparrow
My name is Trever Sparrow and when I first got involved with Ride for Dad in 2015, it was a way for me to give back to my community and to do my part to raise awareness for Prostate Cancer. Being an avid motorcycle rider is much more than a hobby for me because of the feeling of freedom, comradery among other enthusiasts, and the sense of community that I get. I have met some of the most amazing people because of riding motorcycles.
Little did I know that my involvement with Ride for Dad would come full circle when in November 2019 and at the age of 44, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Prostate Cancer. Now, as a survivor of Prostate Cancer, being involved with The Ride for Dad brings extra special meaning to the cause we serve.
Luckily for me, I had no signs/symptoms but because of early detection through the PSA blood test, I am proof that early detection is the key to treating Prostate Cancer and continuing to live a long and fulfilling life. To all the husbands, fathers, sons, uncles, and brothers, get the blood test. It’s a simple test that will save your life. #getthebloodtest
Amanda Williams
Saskatoon
Author: Amanda Willliams
The first thing that drew me in was that I love motorcycles and my dad used to ride so my interest was peaked! When I learned more about the cause, raising awareness and funds to find a cure for prostate cancer, I knew I had to do more because of the number of men I had in my life. I also realized we weren’t talking about prostate cancer and I wanted to help change that. Since I have become an executive, prostate cancer has affected a few men that I know. I was able to help by providing information about treatments and support groups. I’m involved because I want to help to find a cure and provide awareness.
I am an educational assistant but have been a stay-at-home mom for a couple years now. I have two children, Logan who is 13, and Ally who is soon to be 11. We are a huge sports family with football being our favorite! I enjoy the outdoors and love being up at the cabin and out on the lake fishing. My other hobbies include cooking and baking cakes. I love entertaining and spending time with family and friends are my favorite ways to make memories. I’m always up for a party!
Byron Smith
Ottawa
Author: Byron Smith
Why I ride: Freedom & Camaraderie. Riding with friends and strangers but still alone with your thoughts.
Why I Ride For Dad: Because I believe a dozen Canadian men don’t need to die every day from Prostate cancer.
Because I believe in the overwhelming power of a large group of people pursuing a single goal.
Because I believe Prostate Cancer can someday be beaten.
Because I believe that the Ride For Dad is the organization to get us there.
Charlie Pester
Kingston-Quinte
Author: Garry Janz
A few years ago I met a man, who didn’t look ill even though he told me he had Prostate Cancer. Over a period of time I got to know him better. He was always jovial and I thought PC can’t be all that bad. Then one day I was having coffee with him and before I left I said to him:
…What are you up to this afternoon Charlie? Well I guess he thought it was time to clue me in.
He said, Garry, if someone had told me ONE year ago about the PSA test, I wouldn’t be going home this afternoon to arrange my own funeral!
I was speechless!
Not until later did I find out about the PSA test and that it can be used as a tool to detect Prostate Cancer. I didn’t know then that a dozen men in Canada die from it every day!
Not long after, Charlie passed away.
Since that day I have been raising funds through our own organization, the PCFF.
Garry Janz
Co-Founder and President of Ride For Dad and the Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation.
Chuck Shafley
Niagara
Author: Matt King
On May 2, 2019 the Niagara Ride lost one of its own. passed away after a long and courageous battle. Chuck was very involved with the Motorcycle Ride for Dad, his cancer was not Prostate Cancer but in his own words in a 2015 Niagara Falls Review article “I don’t have prostate cancer per se, but cancer is cancer. Anything you can do to help the battle, you have to try to do. I’ve had some awfully good care from doctors and nurses over the years.”
Chuck and his wife Lori were regulars at the Motorcycle Ride for Dad Fundraisers and BBQ’s and of course the rides. Chucks battle made it difficult to continue to ride a motorcycle so he exchanged the two wheels for a 1923 Bucket T. He was always up front and stepped in to give our Honorary Ride Captains a ride in the “Bucket”.
Chuck achieved the level of Diamond in the Motorcycle Ride for Dad Captains club meaning that he personally raised over $15 000. In 2016 Chuck was the top pledge earner for the Niagara Motorcycle Ride for Dad.
Chuck always had a smile on his face even when many of us knew that his body was not smiling on the inside. His attitude and outlook on life was one that many of us can use as an example of true grit.
Since his passing Chuck’s family have formed Team Chuck in memory of him and proudly continue the tradition of collecting pledges and being involved in the ride.
Chuck you will be missed. Please put in a good word for us on Ride Day.