Be inspired by Wayne Oberst

On June 16 and 17, Wayne Oberst will be taking on the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer for his third year. He heard about The BC Ride in 2009, while recovering from Thyroid cancer surgery.

“What I’ve gone through is a bump in the road compared to what others go through with cancer. My cancer was detected early enough for efficient treatment and I was fortunate to receive first class treatment and care at the BC Cancer Agency. Now, I want to give back to those who gave me a second chance.”

Wayne started the "Team Rock The $#@! Out Of Cancer" in early 2010, motivated by his personal experience, and compelled by the journey of his close friend who passed away due to brain cancer in November of 2010. In their first year, they had 4 riders, one crewmember and were able to raise just over $20,000. This year, they have an impressive 22-member team and plan to raise over $69,000!

Wayne wants to personally remind all Riders about the importance of your fundraising: "I felt fear for my own life and the pain of losing my dear friend. For me, there could be no greater cause than The BC Ride. Please, work hard to secure more donations! The dollars raised help fund more research, treatment and care here at BC Cancer Agency, so other British Columbians will benefit like I did. These dollars further our efforts for a cancer-free tomorrow.”

Dr. Frances Wong, Chief Physician at BC Cancer Agency’s Abbotsford and Fraser Valley Centres says, “In countless cases like Wayne’s, new treatments, supported by The BC Ride dollars, have a crucial role in each successful outcome. Every person raising funds for The BC Ride is directly contributing to improving outcomes for cancer patients here in BC. Every donation matters and we have much more to do!" she says.

Be inspired by Kevin Cameron

Kevin Cameron, 47, was diagnosed with Stage IV Cancer of the head and neck in July 2010. His only hope for survival was aggressive chemo and radiation therapy, so he immediately began treatment at Fraser Valley Centre, one of the five full service centres of BC Cancer Agency, which receives funds raised from The Ride.

Over a year after his treatments, Kevin’s health is improving, and he has a good chance of fully re-gaining his health.

Like all BC Riders, Kevin is now working tirelessly to raise critical funds more than ever for The BC Cancer Agency through The Ride so other British Columbians have access to the life-saving treatment & care he received.

“The funds we raise will save lives of British Columbians, just like they helped saved me. I stand behind the BC Cancer Agency and I fully support The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer here in BC. Without their efforts, I’m not sure I’d be here today.”

Kevin Cameron, Captain of the Team Motley Crew

Be inspired by Naho Harada

Despite being only 25, Naho Harada has felt the pain of cancer.

The first time was in the high school when her headmaster passed away with brain cancer. She went to a small international school in Malaysia. The headmaster had a very important role in students’ life there - he would spend a lot of time with them, always having a kind word of reassurance or smile. His death was a huge blow for everyone in the school.

The second time it was her grandmother who, in the end, survived the lung cancer. The thought of devastation of illness and possibility of survival lingered in Naho’s mind, and she started seeking the right opportunity to get involved in the fight.

She discovered the Ride in 2009. The event was so much more than expected. Experiencing that everyone was there for the same cause triggered a chain of memories and filled her with pride.

After crossing the finish line, the hardest part was putting her bike away. She rode again in 2010 and is registered for 2011.

Naho is recent graduate, not a corporate titan. She doesn’t have a well-established network of business contacts. But, she is smart, skilled and passionate.

To raise funds, Naho sold hot-dogs, used Facebook, contacted her mother’s friends, approached her employer, and talked about the Ride. Thus, in the journey to raise funds, she did more.

The Ride allowed Naho to raise awareness about the fight against cancer and eviscerated a few stereotypes about apathy amongst young people and what sort of income you need to really contribute in the fight against cancer - along the way, too.

What kind of platform could The Ride be for you?

Be Inspired by Matt Wilcott

On the outside, Matt Wilcott’s family looks like a typical Canadian family. They’re fun, engaging, and friendly. Even if daily responsibilities keep them apart, they still get together to celebrate happy moments and to support each other in sad ones. Also, like a number of Canadian families, Matt’s family experienced the devastation of cancer more than once.

At 14, Matt saw his grandfather loosing a battle with lung cancer; some time later, he lost his grandmother to multiple cancers. The sadness and defeat, experienced in those tender years, made a lasting impression on him. He knew that if he ever had a chance to join the fight against cancer, he wouldn’t think twice.

He was pleased, many years later, to discover the Ride.

Matt signed up for his first ride in 2010. Putting his entrepreneurial spirit to work, he raised $ 8000 in a short time. Being registered as an individual rider, he never expected that from the start line, he would breathe, sweat and move as a part of the group, alongside more than 2000 people.

The feeling he had as a part of that determined crowd was the exact opposite of the inability to help his grandparents: he knew that change is possible. The finish line was not the end of the Matt’s journey to conquer cancer only the first part of it. He registered for the 2011 Ride immediately.

Matt’s wife, Kyley, registered for the 2011 Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer a week later. Before that, she had never owned a bike, and had forgotten the last time she rode. Now they train and fundraise together. As befits its namesake, their team, Chain Reaction, grew quickly.

What started as a two person group grew fast to include Kyley’s twin sister, her brother, Matt’s brother and other cousins. Today the team is 26 strong. It includes family members of cancer survivors and athletes, skilled fundraisers and drivers of change. From selling Canucks tickets to preparing caramel corn for farmer’s markets, to assembling bracelets, to raising money through personal contacts, they are getting closer to their fundraising goal every day.

All it takes is the courage to take that first step and register. After that, you might be surprised by what sorts of “chain reactions” occur.

Since the inaugural Ride in June of 2009, Team CTV has successfully grown from a team of 10 Riders to an impressive 38-member team in 2012. To date, they’ve raised $250,713 and this year their goal is $150,000.

Team CTV co-captain, Derek Wong shares his vision & strategies for team success:

“All riders on our team understand that the funds we raise today, will directly impact cancer research, treatment & care improving the outcomes and lives of cancer patients here in B.C. We keep this top of mind, and that alone is motivation for our efforts.”

Wong points out one strategy that has helped with Team CTV’s years of success:

“Sharing our personal stories and citing local impacts that Ride dollars make in B.C. to our colleagues and other like-minded people has helped us engage new members each year, while building professional & personal camaraderie that results in yearly commitment for The Ride.”

Team CTV is a prime example of corporate citizenship and will collectively make a substantial impact helping to raise funds towards cancer research treatment and care at the BC Cancer Agency.