Why We Ride

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!

I did my first RFD in May 2001 after meeting Garry Janz at a Tim Hortons. He encouraged me to take a PSA test which I had never heard of at the time. I took the test shortly after and discovered I had aggressive prostate cancer. I had surgery in Sept of 2001 and needless to say the awareness and early detection saved my life. This will be my 22nd consecutive RFD with hopefully many more to come. I am walking proof that early detection saved lives.

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.

I signed up as a volunteer with Saskatoon’s Ride for Dad, with little knowledge of the group or what prostate cancer was even about. It was a great group, and tho some faces have changed…its still a great group….  I’ve learned so much about prostate cancer, the treatment options, and I enjoy sharing that knowledge with others…

A couple of years after I started with this group, I was myself diagnosed with prostate cancer……  My Urologist said.. “You have a tiny bit of cancer on the right side of your prostate”, and then “We couldn’t have caught it earlier”. Because the cancer was detected early.. I had a wide choice of  treatment options and had a procedure known as brachytherapy where radioactive seeds are inserted in and around the cancerous tissue.  Tho it hasn’t been without a few minor glitches…everything turned out really well, and my PSA today hovers around 0.03

As mentioned earlier…when starting I didn’t know anything about prostate cancer and frankly without the knowledge gained from working with the Ride for Dad group… I probably wouldn’t have bothered having a digital exam or the PSA test….and very likely would have been another very sad victim of something almost 98% successfully treatable when caught early…..

Encouraging others to get checked, talking to other men who’ve been diagnosed, or to groups to educate them on the importance of having regular check-ups, and some of the treatment options out there….That’s where its at for me….

As Ride Captain, I’ve met so so many wonderful and amazing people..  They are Sponsors, Service Club Members, City and Town Employees, other Ride for Dad Volunteers ….and some are Survivors…..  and believe it or not….I have many memories of my interactions with all those amazing people that bring tears to my eyes….  And on top of all that…..just maybe we help save a few lives to……  That’s Why I Ride!

I started participating in RFD about 18 years ago. I joined my late brother-in-law Dave “Hilts” Thompson. We rode together and raised money for the Ottawa chapter.
Many years ago my grandfather was struck down by prostate cancer and just last year another brother-in-law lost his battle with this disease. Thankfully other close family friends are survivors.
Dave passed 2 years ago at only 60. So, when I moved into this area from Eastern Ontario last July, I decided to carry on without, and in memory of him.

I have been a volunteer with Ride for Dad for 8yrs. My father was a survivor and avid supporter of the Ride as well. You could always see at the Ride supporting others. Love him and miss his presence ❤️