Later this month locals Francis Wolfe, Gordie Simons and his wife Crysta will be partaking in the Ride to Conquer Cancer starting in Vancouver and finishing in Seattle to help raise money for the BC Cancer Foundation.
Both Wolfe and Gordie have been cycling in the ride for the past three years, and both are cancer survivors.
Wolfe had been diagnosed with bladder cancer and survived, but has recently been diagnosed with the disease again, this time in his prostate. Even after discovering he will once again have to battle the disease, Wolfe is staying strong and is determined to take part in the ride, cancer or not.
Gordie is a 65 year-old esophageal cancer survivor whose wife, Crysta, will be joining the ride for her second time in support of her husband and other cancer victims.
Additionally, the team is motivated to help find a cure as they have had co-workers, friends and family affected by the disease.
Wolfe and the Simons have already raised $8,214 so far by holding hot dog sales and collecting donations, as well as receiving help from the bottle depot through bottle drives. Wolfe and the Simons are hoping to fund raise $10,000 as a team.
Money collected by all the teams taking part in the ride will go to the BC Cancer Foundation, which is based in the Province and is a charity that raises funds for the BC Cancer Agency. All the funds collected will stay in the province, and will be supporting ground-breaking cancer research, which is being done by the BC Cancer Agency.
“[I am glad] to give all of the money we raise to cancer research. Cancer research is what saved my life,” said Gordie.
Wolfe and the Simons’ have been preparing for the ride, which will be starting on June 18, cycling around town and the highway as well as going to spinning class.
Wolfe said what he is looking forward to most is “meeting everyone in the ride, crossing the finish line, and raising our goal”.
Gordie mentioned that in future rides he hopes to see more locals get involved with the annual ride.
“It would be nice to have a bigger team from Prince Rupert,” he commented.
Anyone wishing to donate to the Ride to Conquer Cancer can do so by contacting Francis at 250-627-1838, or Gordie at 250-624-9727.