Sharron Poole
Age: Fabulously 50 in 2009
Occupation: Registered Nurse & Project Leader, Woodstock General Hospital
Hometown: Woodstock Ontario
Family: Married to my wonderful life partner Pete. Mom to three amazing kids, Taylor 16, Kylie 18 & Jason 20
My biggest physical accomplishment(s) to date: 2 sprint Triathlons, Toronto ½ Marathon, Around the Bay Road Race, cycled from London to Windsor in a day.
In the News: Women spinning their wheels for good cause
In the News: Cyclists pedal to help kids with cancer
In the News: All for a worthy cause
Connecting A Passion With A Cause
From public school to high school to college I’ve always loved riding my bike! As a young mom, I enjoyed an active lifestyle, encouraging all three of my kids to ride their bikes. While they didn’t inherit my love of cycling, they did join me on a few cycling adventures. After surviving the busy years of raising three children and working full time, I went back to university in my mid-forties and got my nursing degree. Now that my schoolbooks are packed away and my kids are older, I have time to devote to cycling and various other endurance sports. These past few years I’ve competed in two local sprint triathlons and my first half-marathon. But my true love has always been cycling. In my mind, there’s nothing better than loading up my bike and going for a daylong ride. There’s never a dull moment on these excursions, especially when I’m joined by my stepfather, Richard. Some of our more adventurous bike trips have taken us from Woodstock to Belleville and Woodstock to Miller Lake. I truly love the physical challenge of endurance sport; I am constantly amazed at the capabilities of the human body.
I heard about Sears National Kids Cancer Ride (SNKCR) from my friend Laurie, and after checking out the various blogs and videos on the website, I became intrigued. The idea of crossing the country with a dedicated team of fellow cyclists and volunteers committed to ending childhood cancer, raised a parallel in my mind. Cycling constantly provides me with chances to push beyond what I think I can do. This ride could help push Canadians beyond what they think they can do in ending childhood cancer. Our children are so very precious. No child should have to live their day-to-day life with cancer. In my 25 years as a practicing nurse, I have seen firsthand how devastating cancer can be for patients and their families. Cancer knows no boundaries; it can touch anyone’s lives, young or old. The reality of this hit home when three former classmates of my teenaged children were diagnosed with cancer within a year and a half. One was a good friend to my son Jason; unfortunately he died this past summer.
I was absolutely thrilled and honored to be selected as a national rider for SNKCR. As I train and prepare for this ride I will think of all the children who are living with cancer day in and day out. These kids are the true heroes - what they have to endure is far greater than any physical challenge that I take on. What excites me most about this ride is the journey itself. This will be one incredible life experience, one that I will cherish and reflect on for years to come. Each day, each kilometer, through all weather, this ride is for the kids: to bring them courage, strength and hope. I am a mom who loves to ride my bike. I believe in hope and the power of many people to reach our ultimate goal, a “Destination beyond cancer.”
“I’ve come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that’s as unique as a fingerprint, and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.” Oprah Winfrey
