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Day 8: June 20
Register for a Ride Along Event
Video: Welcome to Toronto
Video: Burlington to Eglington
Pictures taken by photographer Calum Tsang
Toronto - SickKids
Toronto - on the road
Toronto Sherway Gardens
Burlington - Mapleview
Woodstock
Woodstock on the Road
More Pictures from Day 8
Sick Kids Toronto
Woodstock Welcome
Day 8: Report from Lynne Jenkins
Friday, Saturday Stratford, London, Woodstock, Brantford, Burlington, Oakville, Sherway Gardens, Sick Kids, Toronto June 19, 20
Meredith Stockie (National Rider 08) and her Mom, Margot were at the registration table in London
Store manager, Leslie Wilson spoke
MJ and Tim Collarton spoke about their son Crosby. Diagnosed at 1.5yrs with ALL, after 2.5 years of treatment, Crosby now does well.
I spoke with Ralph Knoll, a cyclist and ride along rider. He is very interested in becoming involved with the National Ride as a rider next year, and willing to have his company lend support. We look forward to seeing Ralph on the road next year!
Little Rachel (this morning at Woodstock... need I say anymore)
Josh Nelson, 15 years old. Diagnosed 6 years ago with a brain tumor. His three words, 'I'm a survivor'
He is now walking with a walker, and talking. This kid is amazing.
You know what amazes me the most about these kids that speak to us? They have all grown up very fast, the way they speak, the words they use, and the confidence in their voices.
Ross McPherson, Store Manager Burlington, held a fundraiser, and the 'prize' was to have his head shaved by his employees.. one at a time they came up and took a 'swipe'!
More Pictures
Day 8: Driving rain and running tears
(from Steve Bright's blog)
We started in Woodstock in pouring rain. But a big crowd which was very nice. It proceeded to rain for about 7 hours as we moved along country then city roads to Brantford first, then Burlington, Oakville and Sherway Gardens, then SickKids. It was really nice to see Richard and Diane at Mapleview Mall for lunch. And thanks for the apple juice, Rick …!
About 10km out from SickKids, Keith (our ride captain) did something I will never forget.
I was at the very front when Keith came past with his arm on someone’s back. She was on a mountain bike and was clearly not a cyclist. I wondered what this was all about.
Then I understood.
She has a sign on her back saying she was riding for her son Adam.
Adam, 13 or so, is back at SickKids having relapsed with what may be fatal cancer. He is well known to many of the ride organizers as he played a concert two years ago at Tour for Kids. He is an amazing guitar player, and he’s the boy I wrote about in an e-mail to my donors at that Tour for Kids.
The gesture was simple, as most of the best ones are. Keith was pushing Adam’s mother to see her son in his hospital bed, with 200+ cyclists right behind her. Think of that image next time you or hear of a child with cancer. There are many, many people to help you along that very difficult journey.
I was right behind them the whole time Keith was pushing her. Riding past Ontario Place I was sobbing uncontrollably. So while the rain had stopped, the tears were flowing fast. And in the back of my mind, while crossing multiple street car tracks and weeping like a baby, I kept saying to myself “don’t crash, don’t crash.” I didn’t.
I held it together until pulling into the driveway at SickKids. Then I burst into tears again as I rolled up. It was to the point that I couldn’t rack my own bike - a volunteer did that for me. I put my head in my hands in a moment of being totally overwhelmed.
I then saw my friends, family and work colleagues. I was still in tears, as was Charlotte who wondered why I was upset. She is very sensitive to situations like that as we’ve come to find out. It was great to hold them, hug and kiss Sharon and reconnect with my non-ride life.
But here’s the thing. My life was been immeasurably expanded through this whole experience. As I said in my brief speech during the Oakville stop, this ride helps communities, is inspired by communities and creates communities. I’m very honored to be part of this ride and the cancer community.
I will do what I can to help kids fighting cancer across Canada. I’ll push the next Adam’s mom.
Thanks for reading.
Steve
Day 8 of 12...can you believe it?
Saturday, June 20th Today is day 8 of 12 - the ride is more than half over. It's amazing how fast it all happens.
All of you have put so much effort into welcoming the SNKCR team and supporting the cause. If you read the blogs you will know how overwhelmed the riders and crew are by the hospitality and generosity you have shown. Thank you for organizing the food, the music, the escorts, the fly over, the cheering crowds and the great weather!
Today all 36 riders and the full crew are together again. Lots of stops - Woodstock, Brantford, Burlington, Oakville, Sherway and ending the day at the Hospital for Sick Children. Here is a link to the ambassador children who will be speaking today. I'm sure that there will be lots of stories, giggles and tears.
Have a great day!
Ambassador Child Rachel MacDonald/Mom: Melodie at Sears, 716 Dundas Street, Woodstock, Ontario at 7:00 AM
Ambassador Child Josh Nelson at Mapleview Centre, Burlington at 1:00 PM
Ambassador Child Kathryn Peeters/Mom: Elizabeth at Sherway Gardens, Etobicoke, Ontario at 3:20 PM
Ambassador Child Madison Scott; Jack and Peggy Jo Scott at Toronto, Hospital For Sick Children at 4:30 PM
Ambassador Child Erika Campbell/Mom, Linda/David at Toronto, Hospital For Sick Children at 4:30 PM
OUR AMBASSADORS
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