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

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 ❤️