Testimonials

National Riders

In a nutshell, he said that he and Terry Fox have the same goal – to see a cure for cancer. He said that just like Terry, he’s doing his part to help out and spread the word and hopes that others will do the same. I have to admit that hearing his words as I was taping, it was hard to keep my composure and I know I didn’t hide it well but it was one of those moments that makes a mom proud.

 

Josh Nelson, 2010 National Rider - as told by his mother

There is a lot of effort put in by all of the riders and some days it hurts, but it is not even remotely close to what the kids and families go through while battling this disease. So even on a bad day I know that I just have to ‘suck it up’.

 

Ed Helmus, 2010 National Rider

It’s so easy to be passionate about what we’re doing. My only wish is that everyone who has supported this ride financially through their donations, could be here to experience what we are doing. Yesterday in Thunder Bay, Harry Fediuk, who is one of our riders and is from Thunder Bay, gave us our morning dedication. Harry’s youngest son has been battling cancer, and this personal connection makes the tears flow easily. We just have to eat this disease!

David Heaslip, 2010 National Rider

What is really important about this ride is that we are all making a difference, and not just for the 10,000 kids in Canada who have cancer, but for their families, their siblings and all of those that are part of the awful ripple that cancer causes.

 

Erin Burrell, 2010 National Rider

The Sears National Kids Cancer Ride was a collection of many journey moments that filled 12 days. Moments that challenged me physically and emotionally, moments that touched my soul and brought me to tears, moments that changed my being, moments that I will cherish for years to come.

 

Sharron Poole, 2009 National Rider

"From June 13 to 24, 2009, I was part of a team of 34 cyclists that rode 7,000 kms from Vancouver to Halifax.  We did this to raise funds and awareness for kids cancer.  This was the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride, organized by the Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation.

As a team, we hit 163 community events in the twelve days.  At those events, we met and heard from kids with cancer, their families, and pediatric oncology professionals.  While I have two young daughters, I am fortunate not to have a direct personal connection to kids cancer. More »

On reflection, I am therefore surprised that the cycling was so secondary, overwhelmed by the impact of these events and learning in such a firsthand way of the tangible benefits experienced by these children as a result of the recent advances in research and treatment.

I will never forget Josh who spoke at the event in Burlington Ontario.

This young teenaged boy spoke about how he has been affected physically, such that he cannot eat, walk, or do much by himself.  He is a smallish figure, with a freckled face.  His voice was rather distinctive, and he talked slowly, perhaps as a result of the brain tumours.  But is was such a strong voice somehow.  You could tell that it was a lot of effort to form and speak his words.  He spoke slowly, but especially at the end of his speech he spoke so deliberately and clearly.  He said:  "Ride for the kids who are battling cancer now.  Ride for those who will be diagnosed in the future.  Ride for me, until I can ride with you."

We did.

I consider myself so lucky to have had this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to give back in this way.  I have many people to thank for that.

During this adventure, I updated my blog daily. If you are interested, it can be found at http://bryanduguid.snkcr.com/.

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Bryan Duguid, 2009 National Rider

After a few days to reflect on this great journey we embarked on only 3 weeks ago, I am truly amazed at the human spirit! We rode, we laughed, we struggled, we cried!!! The physical and emotional roller coaster was the experience of a lifetime. We dipped out wheels in the Pacific Ocean on June 13th and pedaled for the Rockies as if they we speed bumps in our path! What sheer beauty we have in this great country of ours! The first few days we climbed, we bonded and we began to form a team. We faced long days with little sleep and pushed forward to the Prairies. More »

We had been isolated for many days when a small town in Saskatewan appeared in the distance.  We expected a small sears store with very few people and a meal to keep us going.  What we got was truly amazing!  500 kids cheering us on and an entire community coming together in support of this great cause.  What a rush and exactly what our team needed.  The headwinds had and would continue to be fierce all the way across the country.  This was the fuel for our tanks that we so desperately needed.  We then pedaled with fury for Ontario and the half way point on this journey.  Tackling wind, heat and the rolling hills of northern Ontario.  I was once again inspired very late one evening.  2:40am to be exact.  Our drivers, Gord and Des, aka our guardians took us by the Terry Fox Memorial.  What a spectacular moment!  A wise man then said to me (Des our guardian), “normal people can do truly amazing things and make a difference".  We forged onward into the heart of Northern Ontario.  When a call came into one of our Team leaders.  A young boy named Gary had passed away from childhood cancer on June 16th.  We rode into Wawa and attended a wake for Gary.  We were welcomed with open arms and many tears were shed.  Gary we rode for you and we ride for you.  We surged forward to Toronto.  What a great day!  The weather was wet but that didn’t stand in our way!  Hundreds of riders joined us as we cycled into Toronto and up University to Sickkids hospital.  This was very special to me, my family met me there to share this experience with me.  Onward we pedaled towards Quebec.  The last 3 days was fast and filled with heartfelt stories from many of the child ambassadors.  They shared their stories of battling this terrible disease.  Stuart, Connor, Josh, Adam, Maria, Hannah and all the other children living with and beyond cancer I rode for you and will continue to ride for you!  Dipping my front wheel in the Atlantic was a surreal moment.  I had been dreaming about this for 7 months and here it was.  A moment of sheer joy followed by a “what do I do now”? 

To my teammates, my crew I am honoured to have shared this experience with you.  You are all truly amazing.  To my friends and family thank you all for your support.  To all the communities who took us in with open arms on our journey, I thank you.  To all those who donated and supported this cause, I thank you.  To all the kids, keep on fighting you are all remarkable.  Even though this journey across Canada is complete, the greater journey of “destination beyond cancer” is not over.  The journey continues until we cross that finish line.  We will ride for you until you can ride with us!

You have failed only when you have FAILED to TRY. Act as if it were IMPOSSIBLE to FAIL and it will be.
Camp Oochigeas Motto

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Drew Blanchette, 2009 National Rider

The experience of the 2009 Sears National Kids Cancer Ride was "unforgettable". To start training in October 2008 as a non-cyclist, and in June 2009 be able to complete this magnificent journey for the greatest cause shows that anyone can do it. You just need the 3 D's - desire, determination and dedication. If you are considering becoming a National Rider you will experience feelings never felt before. YOU WILL meet families and children who have been impacted by cancer, YOU WILL see communities unifying to beat this disease, YOU WILL be making a difference in the lives all all children living with and beyond cancer, YOU WILL make new friends and be part of an experience like no other. More »

I've been asked many time if I would do this again, and my response will not change, "In a heartbeat".  Coast the Coast Against Cancer Foundation and their corporate sponsors (ie. Sears, New York Fries, Marsh Canada, etc) are helping children, like my daughter Megan, who are living with and those beyond cancer.  We will ride until they can ALL ride with us.

I'm a better person for being part of the 2009 National Ride and I really hope that I am part of the 2010 ride.  

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Ken Cross, 2009 National Rider

My journey and memory from Vancouver to Halifax with the amazing group of people, that so happen to become friends after being just a stranger. After every twists and turns of events, they've found themselves growing closer together. Hence, got to know each other more than they expected. Like a flower that blooms in a garden, though they are totally different from each other they blossom beautifully together. With color and life, they spread happiness to anyone who wants to see it.

May Azucena, Registered Massage Therapist, 2009 National Ride

The Sears National Kids Cancer Ride was an incredibly humbling and rewarding experience. Humbling to experience the dedication of the other national volunteers and riders. Rewarding to be part of that team. Humbling to meet the children and their families and to hear the children speak in such positive ways about such a terrible disease. Rewarding to find perspective on my own life and its many good fortunes given that only a few short hours before, I was complaining about another short night's sleep after a long drive in the dark. Humbling to watch a young father on a mountain bike fight gusting winds on the prairies so his son could watch him ride into a community event under police escort with our national riders. Rewarding to help him achieve his goal.

Ron Collins, Volunteer

Last year I participated in the Coast to Coast ride as a national rider, this yeas I participated as a national volunteer.

Following the ride many people commented that it must have been a lot harder to ride.

Actually, it was just as difficult and hearth breaking as I listened to the Kids and mothers telling their stories, and it was just as uplifting to hear "I am now cancer free".

Carlo Di Domizio, Volunteer

I just finished up the most awesome journey that I must say has been life changing for me! I volunteered for the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride where 50 cyclist's rode from Vancouver to Halifax in 19 days to raise money and awareness for kids who are afflicted with childhood cancer. Without a word of exaggeration, this is without a doubt the best thing I've ever done or been involved with in my life. I lost a nephew a very long time ago to leukemia (he would've been 23 in October) and this was a way for me to give back and honour his memory.

Tim Douglas,
2008 National Crew

 

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