One Ponoka woman is hoping to help make a difference for children battling cancer.
Carlin Parsons is taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge (GCC) Canada, a fundraiser that started in 2016 and has generated nearly $12.5 million to support research into treatments and cures for childhood cancers.
The challenge was originally slated to be held earlier this year, but was moved to August due to the pandemic.
Parsons, as of Aug. 10, had ridden nearly 120 kilometres and since raising her original fundraising goal to $2,500 after exceeding the original $500 goal in the first five days.
“It’s something that I like to do and it is for a good cause, ” said Parsons in an interview prior to a ride Aug 4.
“One of my relatives passed away from cancer and it runs in the family, so I felt I would do what I can to help. I’m just one of 11 in our Ponoka/Maskwacis chapter and some are riding while others are on their stationary bikes.”
Parsons goes out on her days off work and added the rain had hindered the 50km rides she thought would be rather ambitious, but has found them to not be as hard as first thought.
To date, the 11 riders in her chapter have raised almost $3,200 and Parsons is hoping they can surpass the Wetaskiwin chapter, who have 21 riders and have just over $3,700.
“I ride for exercise and figured when I was approached by a former boss to check this out on social media, I should hop on and do it,” she added.
“It’s all done online and I’ve gotten a few sponsors. I’m hoping for more donations as I would really like to see us beat Wetaskiwin.”
According the GCC, more than 1,400 children are diagnosed each year in Canada and cancer is the disease that kills the largest number of children in the country.
More information is available by logging on to https://greatcyclingchallenge.ca and you can donate to Parsons by enter her name in the search participants box.