BlueskyOn Sunday, July 27th, we are cycling in the Capilano Volkswagen Cypress Challenge presented by GlotmanSimpson Cycling, raising awareness and funds for research and care at BC Cancer.
In his teens, like many of his friends, Nicholas was an active skateboarder and he rose to the top of his game. In his 20s, I encouraged Nicholas to join me on a cycling trip in Northern Italy in the Dolomites. We summited some of the Giro d'Italia iconic mountain passes like Stelvio and Gavia. He became hooked on cycling and loved the hardest climbs. In 2018, Nicholas participated at the World Hillclimb Championships in California - he was a climber!
In 2019 he started his hardest climb of all. In October he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer. Treatment started immediately but Nicholas didn't slow down. He was determined to fight to stay alive and trained every day even riding to chemotherapy.
In the summer of 2020, Nicholas followed his dream to live in a country he loved and had a deep connection to - he moved to Italy. On the island of Sicily, Nicholas continued chemotherapy at a cancer clinic in Siracusa. He continued to ride to treatments and amazed the hospital staff with his determination and stamina. The cancer was relentless though, and in April 2021 Nicholas could climb no more and he lost the ultimate battle.
Our team is Squadra Nicolavoca (Team Nicolavoca). Nicholas' Nonno gave him the nickname and he was proud to hear it around family gatherings.
Our team is dedicated to supporting research to improve early detection of cancer. We ride so that discoveries can be made to save the lives of those we love and those who love to live. I ride Nicholas' bike in his memory - I feel his strength and love with every pedalstroke.
Since 2008, Cypress Challenge has raised over $5.2 million and its thanks to the generosity of community members like you. Together, we can drive innovations in research and enhance care to benefit each person facing this disease.
With your help, BC Cancer can continue its vital work to break down this deadly disease.
Please consider making a donation, and joining our team.