My National Ride will be done in honour of our son Alex, who fought an inspiring, dignified and determined 2-year battle with cancer which claimed his life but not his spirit. His spirit radiated through the most difficult of times; he demonstrated that kindness, selflessness and wisdom can shine through the darkest of days. Alex drew people to him with the warmth of his smile, his gentle soul, and a wisdom that was beyond his years.

I will cycle also in honour of my friends - Trevor, Carly, Azaria, Peter, Adam and so many others – the kids who have fought the battle and are living now beyond cancer.

Alex loved reading, hockey, building things, and being with his buddies and cousins. And he loved his cottage - both before his illness and very much so as he dealt with the nausea and weakness, pain, and adult decisions that come with cancer. The cottage was a refuge, where he could be a kid again. He could hang with his siblings and cousins, soak up the sun, play in the water where the limitations of his legs on land weren’t as much of an issue. He could play board games, sleep through the night without interruption (except for the occasional mouse), sit around the campfire and sing songs like his favourite: American Pie.

I will riding SNKCR representing my wife Frances, daughter Maddie, and son Ben - who have lived through their own battle with cancer, have survived it, and continue Alex’s dream to help those around them. I represent Team Alex who helped us through our journey and continue to do so today, and Team Axle which we formed in Alex’s honour to raise funds on two wheels.

We will be riding to raise funds for research to beat cancer, for support programs for families affected by cancer, and for camp opportunities where “kids with cancer” can get back to being just “kids” again.

Alex’s battle against cancer is not lost; it continues through us with his inspiration. Though he is not physically here, we feel his presence, his strength, his unwavering spirit. We continue the fight on behalf of the kids who are battling this terrible disease, and those who have moved on.

Please help us toward that goal. Thank you for your generous support.

About Childhood Cancer:

While the causes of adult cancers include environmental, occupational and lifestyle factors, such as diet, alcohol and smoking, the causes of childhood cancers are, in most cases, unknown.

The types of cancers that occur in children vary greatly from those seen in adults. They tend to occur in different parts of the body, they look different under the microscope and they respond differently to treatment.

Leukemias, brain and other nervous system tumours, lymphomas (lymph node cancers), bone cancers, soft tissue sarcomas, kidney cancers, eye cancers, and adrenal gland cancers are the most common cancers of children.

The stage of growth and development is another important difference between adults and children; the immaturity of children’s organ systems often has important treatment implications.

In the early 1950s, less than 10 percent of childhood cancer patients could be cured. Today, more than 70 percent of children diagnosed with cancer become long-term survivors and the majority of them are considered cured. However, long-term effects of surviving the treatments for childhood cancer can affect these children’s futures.

The National Kids Cancer Ride will fund programs that improve the lives of children living with cancer as well as those recovering from the physical and emotional scars that can be part of survivorship. Beyond the children themselves, their families and friends benefit from on-going support programs provided for by the National Kids Cancer Ride.

For more information of the Foundation’s work, please visit www.CoastToCoastAgainstCancer.org.