The Edmonton area Ride For Dad trip, which is an initiative to raise awareness and funds for research for prostate cancer, took place on Saturday, June 8. The group was expected to number several hundred, but the rainy day reduced their number to 235 motorcyclists. Their first stop was in Tofield, travelling about 260 kilometres, stopping also in Mundare and Josephburg, and completed the circuit at the initial starting point in Nisku.
“We had 235 riders on ride day despite the frigid conditions and raised over $139,000, all for prostate cancer research and awareness,” said Co-Chair Terry Willisko.
“Established in 2000, the Ride For Dad and its charitable arm, the Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation, have a mission to save men’s lives by funding prostate cancer research and raising awareness about the disease across Canada. To date, the Ride For Dad fight against prostate cancer has raised over $40 million,” says the Ride For Dad website.
At the Mundare stop, The Man Van, a mobile men’s health clinic offering free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood testing, was onsite and riders were encouraged to take the 15 minutes to get a test done.
Detecting prostate cancer early is important, greatly increasing the survival rate for those with prostate cancer.
“Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of death from cancer among Canadian men. If detected early, the five-year survival rate is extremely high. Detected late, it can be a different story. A simple PSA blood test may save your life or the life of someone you love,” says the Ride For Dad Who We Are flyer.
Canadian Cancer Society statistics from 2023 say every day, 71 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, and 13 men, on average, die of prostate cancer each day.
“Prostate cancer is the third leading cause of death from cancer in men in Canada. Most men don’t die of prostate cancer but from cancers such as bone cancer, testicular cancer, and others that spread from undiagnosed/untreated prostate cancer (metastatic disease),” the Ride For Dad website says.
Ride For Dad holds many motorcycle and power sporting events every year, in over 20 communities across Canada.
“Participants register for local riding events and collect pledges. Motorcyclists travel through the community with VIPs, celebrity riders, and community partners drawing attention to this important cause.
“Funds raised through the Ride For Dad are used for life-saving awareness of the importance of the early detection of prostate cancer and critical prostate cancer research benefiting the ones you love. To ensure your donations are used in the most effective way, a National Medical Advisory Board directs the funding to the most appropriate research projects. Proceeds raised in your Ride For Dad community stay within the region that benefits that same region,” says the flyer.
Town of Tofield Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Jeff Edwards said the Town is proud to have Ride For Dad make a stop in Tofield, as it is a great cause.
“We are pleased to have the Ride return to Tofield, as the awareness and fundraising are for a worthy cause, with monies staying in Alberta,” he said.
Kari Janzen
Staff Reporter
