Bluesky
X.comOn Sunday, July 27th, I'll be cycling in the Capilano Volkswagen Cypress Challenge presented by GlotmanSimpson Cycling. I'm riding to raise awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer research and care at BC Cancer.
When it comes to triathlon, for me, it often feels like a selfish act. I'm out training to be better, not for anyone else, but for myself. I train to go faster. I exercise for my mental health. For my physical health. Because it's my hobby, my pastime, my escape. I race so I can beat my previous time, improve my score, and check another task off my list. Most of what I do, I do for me. And there's nothing wrong with that.
But this ride is different.
When I lost my dog, Michael, his passing was sudden and devastating. An undetected tumor near his heart ruptured, and within hours, he was gone. I had gone out for a swim that evening, part of my training. I was doing something for myself when he left. That thought has stayed with me.
Michael had cancer, but we didn't know it would take him so suddenly. A month later, still deep in grief, I ran my first half marathon in his memory. I remember how much it hurt to keep going, but I kept going. Because sometimes, pain gives us purpose.
This year, more than 800 British Columbians will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Only about 10 per cent will live for five years. It's a cruel disease, hard to detect, harder to treat. Though it's the tenth most common cancer in Canada, it's already the fourth leading cause of cancer death, and it's projected to become the second by 2030.
Since 2008, the Cypress Challenge has raised over $5.2 million. That progress is thanks to people like you who believe we can do better.
Please consider making a donation. For the ones we've lost. For the ones still fighting. For my little goals. For the memory of my boy, Michael.