Kenneth Cross
Age: 37
Cycling Experience: None – started cycling on October 28, 2008.
Occupation: Area Human Resources Manager, Sears Canada and HR Manager, SLH Transport Inc.
Hometown: Kingston, Ontario
Family: Married for 11 years (Colleen), and father to 3 beautiful girls; Leah 7, Megan 4 and Emma 2
My biggest physical accomplishment(s) to date: (Work In Progress) Preparing for the longest charitable cycling event for Childhood Cancer in the World.
In the News: Cycling for the cancer-stricken
Pedalling for a cure - Belleville Intelligencer - Ontario, CA
Cross-country rider trains in city
"The New Normal" - Living with Cancer
I am honoured to have been selected as 1 of the 38 national riders for the 2009 Sears National Kids Cancer Ride. This is the longest charity cycling event on behalf of childhood cancer. I am proud to be able to say that 100% of donations made will go towards supporting local and national childhood cancer programs. At any one time cancer holds 10,000 children within its grip. With each dollar raised we can collectively fight with and for each child and give them a better chance of survival and also a better life after cancer.
So, why do I ride for Childhood Cancer? Well, let me share my story.
On April 24, 2008 our family received a call that would change our lives forever. What was normal in life changed to what my wife and I call “The New Normal”, living with cancer. Earlier that day our 4 year old daughter Megan went to our family doctor as we suspected that something was wrong (lethargic, bruising, no appetite). At 11:10pm our family doctor called saying that we needed to get Megan to the hospital. My wife and I made our way down to Kingston General Hospital and by 12:30am we were told that they suspected that Megan had Leukemia, and at 3:30am the words that no parent should hear were spoken, “Your Child has Cancer”.
By noon time my daughter received her first of many bone marrow extractions, spinal taps, blood transfusions and chemotherapy (protocol). There were a lot of tears shed that day (and many days after) and for the first time in my life I felt helpless and unable to help my child fight an invisible menace. Cancer was holding my child hostage. Megan was diagnosed with AML Leukemia. To date she is in remission and hopefully will return to Sr. Kindergarten in January 2009.
She is not the only child affected by cancer. I’ve met a lot of great kids and families at the cancer clinic and other support groups. I’m riding for Megan. I’m riding for the kids in Kingston. I’m riding for the kids I will meet along the way. They are the fuel that will keep me going from Vancouver to Halifax. They are my inspiration. I will not fail them.
Please help support the many children in Canada with Cancer with a charitable donation so that I may reach my personal goal of raising $50,000. I believe in miracles and this can happen. For contributions over $20.00, a charitable tax receipt will be issued by the foundation. Together we can make this Dream Real.
“Dreams are made if people only try. I believe in miracles. I have to… because somewhere the hurting must stop”. (Terrance Stanley Fox)
