Cycling ‘Cross Canada: A Ride for My Sister, Sheila Rae

          April. Greece beckons, but I have something more pressing to do. Turquoise seas, hours submerged in a book, and evenings al fresco in the village square will have to wait. I need to show up for my younger sister, age 59, who lost her battle to a disease that so few of us know and understand, but should. Ovarian cancer. It is considered to be the deadliest cancer for women as only 44% survive beyond five years with the disease. When the five-year survivorship rate for breast cancer is now 87%, we have to ask ourselves why. Improved screening methods? Diagnostic tools? Treatment options? And you have to take action to improve the outcome for any woman who faces a diagnosis of ovarian cancer today.

My Sister, Sheila Rae

        Riding to advocate for greater personal awareness and public action about the prevention and treatment of ovarian cancer is also a way for me to celebrate my sister, Sheila. She had been a formidable athlete in her youth – a natural on the soccer field, basketball and volleyball court, and softball pitch (not to mention her ease on skiis and strength on a bicycle!) – and had led many a team to championship status. From captain to coach, she inspired her own children to excel in sports, leading daughter, Jackie, and teammates, to positions on the Canadian women’s field hockey team.

        Never one to blow her own horn, Sheila just wanted everybody to be the best they could. As a coach, a mother, and an educational assistant, she celebrated every step people took in the right direction. To her, everyone had the ability to be a champion, and everyone could use that ability to help others.

The Ride for Sheila Rae & You

     It is that spirit that puts me on a bike seat, with the blazing intention to ride coast-to-coast from Vancouver to Halifax to shine the light on ovarian cancer. Who is at risk? How can it be prevented? What are the signs and symptoms one needs to be aware of?

     The 8,000 kilometre ride will be supported by my van-driving, publicity-wrangling, campsite-snagging partner, Ken Flagel. Ride launch in Vancouver on May 14 is in six weeks. We are excited to be riding for this cause, and to be doing it in a country that we want to know better – Canada.

      We hope you will follow our bi-weekly blogs, and weekly newsletters. Following us on facebook @OvarianCancerRide will give you regular updates and news. Stay tuned, local residents, for a pre-ride presentation on World Ovarian Cancer Day – May 8 – at Studio A.

      Now, back to some hill-climbs on the bike!