Dee Miller, founder and executive director of Renewed Strength Inc., will be visiting Sudbury as part of her Bike Around Ontario for Cancer Awareness Tour. Miller started the bike ride in Ajax on June 10 and, for 100 days, will be visiting urban and rural locations across Ontario. She will be meeting Mayor John Rodriguez at Tom Davies Square, Aug. 21 at 2 p.m.
Renewed Strength is a registered charitable organization that provides strength and mobility training to men and women recovering from cancer surgery or treatment through specially designed DVDs, videos and exercise classes.
Northern Life reporter Judi Koski reached the cyclist by e-mail while she was wheeling her way towards Sudbury.
Q. Why are you doing this?
A. To raise awareness of the free programs available to all
individuals in Ontario who have been diagnosed with cancer and
who have gone through cancer treatment.
Q. What gave you the idea/inspiration?
A. As a cancer survivor myself, as well as a former resident of
Espanola, I wanted to be able to reach every small community in
Ontario, especially the more isolated areas of northern
Ontario. By biking around Ontario I would have the chance to
invite the mayors and councils to sign our Survivor Shirt,
which would bring the media to the event. (The idea would be
that) after reading the media article, individuals who have
been diagnosed with cancer, as well as family and friends,
would know about the free cancer programs that are available
for individuals in need.
Q. What did you do to prepare for this?
A. I am fortunate to be very healthy and physically active,
participating in three to five marathons per year. In January
2008, a Spinner was donated to our 100-Day Bike Ride and I was
able to train indoors until the weather got warmer and I could
train outside.
Q. How many people travel with you?
A. I have one person - my mother - travelling with me at all
times. I have also had the pleasure of being accompanied by
people in the communities riding with me.  Steve Parish,
the mayor of Ajax, rode the first day with me. Staff from
Princess Margaret Hospital have completed two days, and just
this week I was able to participate in a personal goal of a
rider, who rode with me the 54 kms from Hwy 17 to
Manitouwadge.
Q. How much money do you expect to raise? And where will it
be used?
A. Our main goal of the ride is the outreach into the
communities. With the help and support of Bed and Breakfasts
across Ontario, we have had over 80 per cent of our lodging
donated. We have also received numerous donations from
individuals and communities, including $940 from Manitouwadge.
All of the donations will go to making sure, after being
diagnosed with cancer, each individual in Ontario is able to
obtain the Renewed Strength: Get Moving - Get Stronger strength
and mobility program.
Q. What is your itinerary for the next few days?
A. We are stopping in Espanola on Aug. 20 at 2 p.m., at the
town office at 100 Tudhope Street. On Aug. 21, we will be in
Sudbury to meet the mayor at city hall at 2 p.m.
Q. Can you tell me about the monthly exercise program at the
Regional Cancer Program of the Hôpital régional de Sudbury
Regional Hospital?
A. The Renewed Strength Program is offered the third Thursday
of every month at 7 p.m. at the Daffodil Lodge. The complete
program takes about one hour and is completed sitting in a
chair.
Registration is available at the lodge by calling
1-800-465-6343 or 416-427-7745, e-mail
[email protected]
or visit
www.renewedstrength.ca
.
