More than 600 motorcycle riders are expected to grumble through the Capital Region on June 7 for the Vancouver Island Ride to Live.
The annual ride raises prostate cancer prevention awareness and money for prostate research on Vancouver Island. This year’s ride takes place on June 7 beginning at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Fountain Tire in Langford (2924 Jacklin Rd.)
“The folks out at Fountain Tire are sponsoring a breakfast for what we expect to be 500 or 600 guys,” said Kevin Worth, chair of Ride to Live, at a launch event last Friday at Uptown Centre.
The Ride to Live will begin at 9 a.m. with five stops across the Capital Region and will end at Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney in time for a closing ceremony at 1 p.m.
“We’ve got lunch included for riders, too,” Worth said.
The goal of the ride is to reach men over 40 who might not be getting screened on an annual basis for prostate cancer using the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test.
“There are guys who are at risk for prostate cancer who we want to reach. If you’re over 40, get checked once a year. That means a PSA test and a digital rectal exam. If you’re embarrassed, get over it. There’s too many people counting on you to let that stand in the way of your health,” Worth said.
(Inset photo: Dan Remick displays his 1947 Indian Chief motorcycle, which he completely restored to its pristine condition. Remick is selling his bike to the right buyer.)
Dr. Julian Lum, a researcher with the B.C. Cancer Agency, works closely with The Prostate Centre in Victoria. Lum has been participating with Ride to Live for the past four years and he said he’s noticed an uptick in awareness amongst men about cancer in general.
“This event lets people know that a PSA test isn’t something they should be hiding. They should be working to catch the disease early and should be pursuing an active lifestyle generally,” Lum said.
Lum and his colleagues at The B.C. Cancer Agency are currently developing an immunotherapy program, which looks at finding ways to boost the natural immune system to fight cancer.
“This is a game-changer,” Lum said. “More and more, we’re learning that if we can find a way to turn on your immune system better, we can make a major impact on survival of patients with prostate cancer. … We’re moving into a new era where we’re treating patients very differently than we have been in the past.”
Ride to Live’s premier sponsor this year is Scotiabank, who are providing eight of the 20 volunteers needed to run the event. For more information or to register for the Vancouver Island Ride to Live, visit vi-ridetolive.ca.
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