With the help of 150 riders from across Greater Sudbury, the Northern Cancer Foundation (NCF) were able to raise $24,500 for prostate cancer research on June 15 in the 18th annual Rally for Dad.
Since 2001, Rally for Dad has raised more than $400,000 for the NCF, it's beneficiary since choosing to host an annual fundraiser independent of the national Ride for Dad movement. This fundraising has supported numerous efforts in the fight against cancer over the years, everything from the work of researchers like Dr. Mike Conlon, to the purchasing of equipment for the radiation suit at the Northeast Cancer Centre or at Health Sciences North.
"We wanted to be able to look all of our riders and all of the donors in the eye and say I promise you – every penny stays right here at the cancer centre," said executive director of NCF, Tannys Laughren. "Our mantra, slogan and everything is raised here, stays here (and) we couldn't guarantee that with any other ride."
A large portion of participants have been touched by cancer in some way or another, said Laughren, and "we're hoping that through this event they know that we've got their back."
Every year the event attracts nearly 150-200 riders from the Greater Sudbury area, as well as financial support from across the province, said Laughren, many of whom support the event on an annual basis. This group has welcomed a number of Greater Sudbury Fire Service representatives to its rally in recent years, motivated by government legislation classifying many forms of cancer as work-related to firefighting, among them is career firefighter.
Ray Payze, a member of the Rally for Dad organizing committee, said that while the motorcycle aspect was a motivator to participate, "just doing something good for the community -- whether it's motorcycle (related) or not, is always good."
This was the fifth time Pauze has participated in the rally, but the first time he was able to share the experience with his wife Nicole, something he said the two of them were really looking forward to. I will have a lot of running around to do before, said Pauze, "but once we get on the bike, all that gets turned off and we just enjoy the day -- it's cool."
Riders had the opportunity to win a number of prizes for participating in the event, either through pledges earned prior or the afternoon's poker run, which were distributed during a free lunch at A&W on Marcus Drive. Beyond the treat of a warm meal, Pauze said the afternoon's concluding lunch was a great opportunity to meet people and of course, admire the variety of bikes that joined them for the ride.
"Motorcycle riders are a tight-knit group and I think for them, (the lunch) is an opportunity to come together and celebrate the end of a journey, just as you do the end of a cancer journey," said Laughren. "It's their chance to say, 'we're helping...this is what we've done...and we're proud.' "
