The 15th year of the Motorcycle Ride for Dad saw a remarkable fundraising achievement with $80,000 raised in 2023.
Led by Bob Charron, chair of the Okanagan Chapter Ride for Dad Canada, the event spread awareness about prostate cancer screening.
Charron noted an encouraging increase in men opting for PSA screening.
“We have seen in the last two years an uptick in men finally realizing to get the PSA blood test,” Charron stated.
Supporting the cause is Dr. Juanita Crook, professor of radiation oncology at BC Cancer Kelowna, who stressed the significance of family doctors referring men to screening.
“PSA screening got a bad reputation several years ago because people with insignificant, slow-growing cancers were still having aggressive treatment,” Dr. Crook explained.
However, she said there have been advancements in identifying which cases require treatment, and urged men to be persistent with their family doctors about getting tested.
The $80,000 donation generated by the ride will be directed to the BC Cancer Foundation to further research efforts at BC Cancer Kelowna.
Okanagan Chapter of Motorcycle Ride for Dad raised $80,000 for the BC Cancer Foundation for research efforts at BC Cancer Kelowna. pic.twitter.com/HYZkR5OPwm
— Gary Barnes (@GaryBarnes97912) May 3, 2024
Charron, whose personal connection to cancer fuels his dedication, said the theme for this year’s ride is ‘One family, one fight.’
“Whether it be a family member or a personal story,” Charron said, “I lost my father and brother to cancer, and I was a cancer patient myself.”
Charron is now cancer-free.
The 2024 Motorcycle Ride for Dad is scheduled for June 9, marking its 16th anniversary. The ride starts in Kelowna and winds its way through the South Okanagan.
More information about the event can be found on the Ride For Dad website.
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