My Dad had it and survived due to early detection. Now I get tested regularly because I have a high likelihood of getting it as...
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.
Roddy Edwards
Saskatoon
I have been an active participant and rider since 2010, at opening ceremonies first year we were educated how terrible this disease is . Met...
Sean Secord
Yukon
I was invited to join the board without ever having been involved in any sort of organized ride. I'd recently bought a bike and was...
Sheryl Boggs
Ottawa
I have known a number of colleagues, friends, and family who have fought for their lives, all because they didn’t get an annual test. We...
Stephanie McCann
Ottawa
My father passed away from Prostate Cancer in December 2014. He was only 52 years old. I urge all the men in your life (brother,...
Steve Macaulay
Durham & GTE
Prostate cancer is not new to my family. My father got it in the early 80s. He received early treatment and survived to an old...
Why We Ride
Robert Inness
Edmonton
Author:
My Dad had it and survived due to early detection. Now I get tested regularly because I have a high likelihood of getting it as well.
Roddy Edwards
Saskatoon
Author:
I have been an active participant and rider since 2010, at opening ceremonies first year we were educated how terrible this disease is . Met some survivors and riders that shared their stories . This excited and influenced me to make it annual challenge.. the kindness and generosity has been overwhelming …
Sean Secord
Yukon
Author: Sean Secord
I was invited to join the board without ever having been involved in any sort of organized ride. I’d recently bought a bike and was starting to ride, but it was more about my being a healthcare professional and someone who dedicates time to worthy causes. Each aspect of that has flourished. I am committed to this cause because I see the need and the difference we make. The more I learned about prostate cancer and Ride for Dad, the more I invested in doing more. I am part of an amazing board, community, and organization that loves what we do and continually strives to do it bigger and better. And I live in a part of the world that is gorgeous, and best viewed from a bike during an outing with great people.
Sheryl Boggs
Ottawa
Author: Sheryl Boggs
I have known a number of colleagues, friends, and family who have fought for their lives, all because they didn’t get an annual test.
We need to reach out to as many people as we can and get them tested.
Souvenir Coordinator
Ottawa Chapter
Stephanie McCann
Ottawa
Author:
My father passed away from Prostate Cancer in December 2014. He was only 52 years old. I urge all the men in your life (brother, father, uncle, friend) to get tested. With early testing and detection, this could of been prevented! I will continue to fight against prostate cancer and raise awareness!
Steve Macaulay
Durham & GTE
Author: Steve Macaulay
Prostate cancer is not new to my family. My father got it in the early 80s. He received early treatment and survived to an old age. In April of 2015, I too was diagnosed with prostate cancer. No matter how much you prepare yourself for the possible bad news, it still hits you like a truck. But the good news was that it was caught early by having regular PSA tests.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canadian men. It generally affects men over 40. Successful treatment depends on early detection. I cannot stress this enough – get checked! Have your PSA test done annually.
In October of 2015, I received treatment at Sunnybrook Hospital. I have been cancer-free since then and I’m well on my way to beating the disease. It is programs like Ride for Dad that contribute to raising awareness for this disease. Much of the funds raised go towards research and public awareness.
In the longer term, research into improved diagnosis, treatment, and prevention will further improve our capacity to deal with this disease.
I urge everyone to help support Ride for Dad in some capacity, whether it is volunteering, raising, or donating funds, or simply by encouraging the men you know to get checked regularly. Together we can save more lives.
Terry Cairns
Ottawa
Author:
I ran into a fellow motorcycle rider at the Almonte Tim Hortons in early spring of 2001. He introduced himself as Garry Janz and asked me if I had heard of the Ride for Dad and asked me if I had a PSA test. I said no to both not knowing what a PSA test was. He called me young fella although I was far from being young at the time. He explained what prostate cancer was and how early detection with the help of a PSA test could save people’s lives. I rode my first RFD in May of that year, had a PSA test shortly after followed by a biopsy at TOH. I discovered I had prostate cancer and had surgery in Sept. of that year the week of 911. I have rode in the RFD and helped to spread the word every year since then (with the exception of the first year of Covid). I look forward to riding again this year and continuing to spread the word that early detection saves lives. I am “living” proof and owe my ongoing good health to meeting Garry Janz in 2001. You might say that chance meeting and Garry’s advice saved my life and allowed me to continue enjoying life with my family today
today
Tina Gibson
Ottawa
Author: Tina Gibson
This is the who and the why that I volunteer Ottawa Motorcycle Ride For Dad – my Dad. He is a 5-year Prostate Cancer Survivor and it is my wish that all men get checked yearly with a simple, painless, PSA blood test – early detection of this disease is the reason that more family photos like this can happen.