A Summerland cyclist is training and raising funds for an upcoming two-day bike ride.
Les Brough has set a fundraising goal of $5,000 for the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer, a 260-kilometre ride from Vancouver to Seattle. At present, he has raised more than $4,300.
The fundraising ride is expected to raise more than $10 million for cancer research and treatment.
For Brough, the cause is personal.
His wife Mary was diagnosed with lung cancer in April and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. The chemotherapy treatments ended in October.
In addition, 35 years ago, she suffered from cervical cancer and 10 years ago, he was treated for prostate cancer.
“Detection and the treatment of various cancers have improved dramatically over the years, particularly in B.C., but there is still a long, long way to go,” he said.
“This was a good opportunity to help other people,” he said.
“We all have lost family or know someone who has had or is fighting cancer,” he said.
Brough, who turns 70 in January, has been training for the ride and is now able to do a 100-kilometre ride in five hours.Those who want to donate to his fundraising efforts should visit www.conquercancer.ca and search for his name under Donate at the top of the page.
Donations can be made online or a donation form can be printed and a cheque sent to the B.C. Cancer Foundation.