Ryan's cancer battle

Ryan's Cancer Battle Fundraiser for Princess Margaret Hospital Cancer Centre:

My brother Ryan has had a challenging journey over the past few years. For some time, Ryan has been working through a workplace illness that has required him to be off work. Just as things were improving and he was in the process of returning to work as a full time paramedic, he hit another bump in the road. 

Three months ago, Ryan went for a routine eye exam where his optometrist recognized an anomaly in his eyes that led to a series of tests and exams, and ultimately, a diagnosis of leukemia.

Ryan has received exceptional care from the medical team at the Toronto General Hospital and the Princess Margaret Hospital Cancer Center, and his prognosis looks positive. However, his day to day challenges are far beyond what any person should have to deal with, and his return to work as a paramedic is now unclear.

To show my support for what Ryan is experiencing, and to show my gratitude towards the team at the Princess Margaret Hospital, I plan to take on a challenge that by no means compares, but will hopefully help in some small way.

On Saturday September 10th, I will be riding my bike from Whistler to Vancouver, where the Granfondo race begins, and then returning to Whistler the same day. The total round-trip distance of this ride will be an estimated 250 kilometers. Despite my experience in past years with endurance cycling, I haven't been on my road bike in three years, so this ride will surely push my limits, and force me to overcome the inevitable bumps in the road - both literal and figurative.

To show his support for the cause from the opposite side of the country, my other brother Daniel is also planning to ride an estimated 100 kilometers on the same day in the Ottawa area.

In total, Daniel and I are planning to ride a combined 350 kilometers, or more, in one day. Despite our long journeys, this is nothing compared to the long journey that Ryan has ahead of him as he continues his fight against leukemia.

I am hoping that we can raise $5 for every kilometer we ride, for a total of $1750 to help Ryan's cause, and to show our support and our gratitude for the team of medical professionals at the Princess Margaret Hospital Cancer Center. All of the money raised will be donated to the Princess Margaret Hospital Cancer Center in Toronto.