Great Ride 'n' Stride to Beat Cancer's an important fundraiser
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They've been riding and striding in Tillsonburg for 46 years. And they've raised some $525,725 towards the ongoing battle against cancer.
This year you can join other volunteers in the 47th Great Ride 'n' Stride to Beat Cancer on April 24 - the last Sunday of the month.
Melissa Boesterd, president of the Tillsonburg Branch of the Canadian Cancer Society, said the Ride 'n' Stride may not be the biggest fundraiser, but it has been a steady contributor to research, education and patient services funded by the society.
"It's more of a casual way for individuals, families and commercial or other teams to help raise money," she said.
"The event itself takes little of a volunteer's time. Positive results depend on how much effort the participants put into getting sponsors. You can pick up a sponsor sheet at Coward Pharmacy or go online at www.greatride.ca/tillsonburg," she added.
The event starts at the Tillsonburg Community Centre at 2 p.m. You circle Lake Lisgar and end back at the centre for snacks and trophy presentations.
Trophies are presented to the top individual, top overall team and family and community teams.
Melissa is part of the third generation of her family to be active in the local CCS branch. Her grandmother, Vi Ormerod, was a long-time worker. A special family team award was presented to them by the cancer society.
Is age a factor when it comes to volunteering?
Bill Pratt, 88, shows you don't have to be young.
"Marion and I helped Bob and Madge Montgomery organize the first "Ladies' Great Ride'" here and have been involved in some way ever since," he said.
"Actually, I'm rather proud that we have, together, contributed over a century of man-years in the society, working with some great volunteers. It is heartening to have several young people now joining our branch, bringing new ideas and enthusiasm," he added.
Pratt said that part of the reason they have continued their involvement is personal. His mother died of breast cancer in her 40s, and they lost a seven-year-old daughter, Heather, to an incurable tumor on the brain stem. Early detection meant surgery for lung cancer 18 years ago has allowed him to continue volunteer service to the community.
"You wonder if the advances that have been made in research and treatment methods could have made a difference for some of your family members and friends," he said.
In large part due to advances in research more than 60 per cent of Canadians diagnosed with cancer will survive today, compared to about 25 per cent in the 40s when the Canadian Cancer Society started research funding. More than 125,000 lives have been saved since 1988, thanks to improvements in diagnosis and treatment.
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is the eradication of cancer and enhancement of the quality of life for people living with cancer. Information is available on the website, www.cancer.ca or by calling the CCS at 1-888-939-3333.