My journey with the Ride for Dad started because of my dad. I had never heard of Prostate Cancer nor was aware of the Ride...
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.
Ed Johner
Manitoba
In 2009 I met this amazing person after hearing his story and deciding we should start a chapter in Manitoba for Ride For Dad. Over...
Giogio “Jojo” Frausin
Halifax
Giorgio "Jojo" Frausin Co-Chair Halifax Chapter Ride for Dad I am honoured to have been asked to be one of the Co-Chairs of the Halifax...
Herb Arbuckle
Okanagan
I lost my father to Prostate Cancer December 13, 1990 at age 82, less than a year after he was diagnosed, and far too late...
Jim Mahoney
Saskatoon
I have participated in the ride for dad since its inception in Saskatoon. Have always loved riding motorcycles and being able to combine my love...
John Adams
Niagara
I am a cancer survivor! Not prostate but a close neighbour LOL. I want to help find a cure. Every one of us have a...
Why We Ride
Earl Richmond
Avalon
Author: Charlene Richmond
My journey with the Ride for Dad started because of my dad. I had never heard of Prostate Cancer nor was aware of the Ride for Dad until my dad was diagnosed. His diagnosis taught me really fast about Prostate Cancer and just how harmful it can be.
My dad was diagnosed in April 2009 and his treatment ended in October 2009. It was the longest 6-7 months of our lives. I am happy to report my dad survived Prostate Cancer and has been cancer-free ever since. I’ll never forget shortly after that driving down Kenmount Road one day and seeing a billboard for the Ride for Dad and thinking I need to be involved!
I volunteered with our local chapter on the Registration for 4 or 5 years and then moved into an Executive Role with our local chapter. My dad is my hero for fighting and now it is my turn to fight for him and anyone who may be impacted by this silent killer known as Prostate Cancer.
Ed Johner
Manitoba
Author: Kirk Van Alstyne
In 2009 I met this amazing person after hearing his story and deciding we should start a chapter in Manitoba for Ride For Dad. Over the past decade, this man has inspired me and many others with his determination, courage and a great love for life. He has given countless days and hours each year, getting the RFD message and awareness out there will telling his own story of survival. He is one of the main reasons we all Ride for Dad.
Giogio “Jojo” Frausin
Halifax
Author: Giorgio Frausin
Giorgio “Jojo” Frausin
Co-Chair Halifax Chapter
Ride for Dad
I am honoured to have been asked to be one of the Co-Chairs of the Halifax Chapter of the Ride For Dad! I recently moved back to Dartmouth to be closer to my parents and it’s great to be back in what is arguably one of the best places to live and ride in Canada!
I grew up here and went to school in Dartmouth NS and enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1982. After a very rewarding career spanning over 35 years, I retired from the RCAF in 2017 at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. During my career I had the opportunity to ride all over this wonderful country, the US and overseas. When we were posted to Ottawa in 2005, I started hearing about the Ride for Dad and I registered as a participant. I was taken aback by the huge turn out and the exceptional level of organization that was required to pull off an event of this magnitude. To be honest, I registered to be part of the event and the cause was a secondary consideration. It wasn’t until I was posted to Kingston, ON and became the military liaison to the local chapter that I began to understand why the Ride for Dad became a thing. In 2007, the Kingston Chapter approached me to become a Co-Chair, alongside Allison Pinkerton, the daughter of the man who was the inspiration for the Ride; Charlie Pester. I served in that capacity until I was required to move to Cold Lake Alberta in 2010. My experiences with the Kingston Chapter stayed with me and I’m still constantly amazed at their energy and dedication.
When I moved back to NS just last February, I started looking for information about the local Ride for Dad and was surprised that it had gone dormant several years ago. I decided to contact the national office and I was welcomed back into the fold with open arms and I was offered the opportunity to revive the Halifax Chapter. The first thing I did was enlist the help of John Hooper, my brother-in-law, to take on the responsibilities of Co-Chair. Mary, my sister, has also signed on as our Finance Officer.
Starting a Chapter during these unprecedented times is an uphill battle and John and I, are working towards hosting a traditional ride day in 2022. In the meantime, we will be out and about, meeting riders and handing out our business cards in order to let the local riding community know that the Ride for Dad is back in Halifax!!
Herb Arbuckle
Okanagan
Author:
I lost my father to Prostate Cancer December 13, 1990 at age 82, less than a year after he was diagnosed, and far too late to save him. In the Fall of 1989, he had been complaining of a sore shoulder. The reality was it was already in his bones, as was discovered just before Christmas of that year. When the Ride for Dad began in the Okanagan I was glad to pitch in and help support the fight to save others from the same fate. I don’t know why he wasn’t diagnosed earlier, but I suspect it was as simple as not regularly being checked by a doctor, when he badly needed to be checked, a factor we all now know as critical to successful treatment and survival.
Jim Mahoney
Saskatoon
Author: Jim Mahoney
I have participated in the ride for dad since its inception in Saskatoon.
Have always loved riding motorcycles and being able to combine my love for riding with a worthwhile charity was a great match for me.
Getting involved with the organizing of the ride seemed like a perfect fit as I would be raising funds and riding anyway.
Hope to continue my affiliation with the ride for the foreseeable future once the world returns to whatever normal is going to be.
John Adams
Niagara
Author:
I am a cancer survivor! Not prostate but a close neighbour LOL.
I want to help find a cure. Every one of us have a cancer story, and I have been living mine for over four years now. I also lost my Dad, a WWII veteran, and personal hero, and my sister to cancer.
John Adams
Niagara
Author:
I am a cancer survivor! Not prostate but a close neighbour LOL. I want to help find a cure. Every one of us have a cancer story, and I have been living mine for over four years now. I also lost my Dad, a WWII veteran, and personal hero, and my sister to cancer.
John Annis
Durham & GTE
Author: John Annis
I went on the first Ride For Dad ride on Durham in 2006 not knowing what Ride For Dad was but it was a nice day and a good ride and event. I got involved in the Ride in 2008 and have since realized how important research and awareness for prostate cancer is.
When I look at the numbers that 1 in 9 men over 40 in Canada will be affected, and 11 men die every day from prostate cancer. In the over 70 age group, 90% of men will be affected.
The Durham Ride took a step back in 2020 due to COVID19, but prostate cancer didn’t take a break. So I decided to step forward to help the cause for 2021.
Remember early detection is key to survival so tell everyone you know over 40 to get a PSA blood test.
If you can help with a donation it will help our cause and save lives.