Colin Wackett couldn’t believe his eyes.
With rain gently falling and thunderstorms a strong possibility, Wackett was taken aback by the nearly 120 riders gathered at the city’s Royal Canadian Legion Saturday for the 15th annual TELUS Ride for Dad (Huronia).
“I was shocked to see how many motorcycle riders were here supporting the Ride for Dad,” said Wackett, who’s been the driving force behind the local event that raises awareness of prostate cancer and funds research into the deadly disease.
“I didn’t expect it with the weather, but they never let us down. It’s always a thrill to see the same riders returning to support the ride each year. We’re sorry about the skies, but I have a hopeful feeling that most of the ride will be finished before the storms.”
Since its inception, the Orillia-based regional event has raised more than $1.4 million in funds towards prostate cancer research, a total that will increase once the funds raised this weekend are tallied.
Colleen Campbell, the ride’s national office manager, said the Huronia chapter’s event continues to serve an important role in ensuring funds are raised for organizations like the Sunnybrook Research Institute and Dr. Stanley Liu to fight prostate cancer by researching better treatment options, diagnostic tools and, perhaps, one day a cure.
“We have a philosophy at the TELUS Ride for Dad that we give to benefit the communities in the area where we raise funds,” she said, noting the ride has raised more than $33 million nationally over the years.
“Although, we’re a national organization with more than 30 events across Canada, proceeds raised here today will stay here,” said Campbell.
Legion District E commander Crystal Cook works as a nurse in the public health field.
“It’s cancer so you see the devastating effects,” she said, noting it’s important for the Legion to get behind the event since prostate cancer affects its members. “Everybody knows somebody that’s been affected. This event raises funds so the doctors can do the research.”
Besides Liu, Dr. Chia-Lin Tseng was also on hand for Saturday’s ride.
“We’re trying to better tailor our treatment for these patients by personalizing medicine with little side effects,” he said, referring to the kind of advances ongoing research strives to achieve.
Country singer and radio personality Jason McCoy led the motorcyclists as they revved their engines and embarked on their tour of the region.
“We are certainly here in heart and spirit,” said McCoy. “We’re a force to be reckoned with.”
Rachelle McIntrye, of Severn Bridge, has taken part in the event for the past three years.
“My husband’s grandfather had prostate cancer and my uncle was also hit with it,” said McIntyre, who was part of the Casino Rama Cares team.
“I love biking, so it’s great day for me and great to be out with friends and supporting the cause.”
After leaving Orillia’s downtown, riders travelled to the city’s Lakehead University campus before heading through Barrie, Creemore, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach and Penetanguishene before eventually returning to Orillia.
As for Wackett, who was first diagnosed with prostate cancer almost two decades ago, cancer has returned to his body for a fourth time.
“My fourth cancer happened to be a deadly one,” Wackett said. “It’s pancreatic. However, I’m working with an oncologist and hope to keep it under control a while longer.”
