As cancer continues to rob individuals and families of their health and happiness, those who’ve pledged to fight and help find a cure aren’t backing down.
Sarah Olson, the town’s economic development officer, and Darrell Feschuk, a teacher at Ponoka Secondary Campus, have teamed up for the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer.
Both Olson and Feschuk have close ties to those struggling with the disease and for them, it’s important to play their part in the race for the cure.
“I suppose just the impact cancer has had on the lives of me personally, friends and family,” said Olson, who’s donated to other cancer efforts before, but wanted to take a more proactive stance.
Although she won’t be riding in the two-day bike trek that winds through the foothills at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Olson will still be attending with Feschuk and volunteering her time to support the operation of the event.
Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer funds the Alberta Cancer Foundation, one of the top five cancer research hospitals in the world.
“She (Olson) came up initially with the idea and kind of became my manager,” said Feschuk, who’s striving to raise at least $2,500 for the race.
Along with his cousin who’s fighting the disease, Feschuk’s sister was diagnosed a year and a half ago with early stage breast cancer. “She’s doing great.”
“I’m riding for my sister, cousin and for Sarah,” he added, making sure to mention the importance of his teammate.
Besides his fundraising goal, Feschuk also has a personal goal he’s set for this race. Last year, during his first “bike race”, Feschuk came down with hypoglycemia and didn’t finish as well as he would have liked. “I had to take it easy for the first part of that ride.”
Along with raising money in honour of friends and family, Feschuk is using the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer as a means to personally redeem his time. “I’m doing this for a variety of reasons.”
Those wishing to donate to Feschuk can visit his personal pledge page at http://www.conquercancer.ca/site/TR?px=3599636&pg=personal&fr_id=1511&fl=en_US&et=0LJj_RxTGY3YlR-4JZTTbw&s_tafId=319162