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Hundreds of bikers from all walks of life, riding all types of motorcycles, gather pledges for the cause, then participate in one of the many Motorcycle Ride for Dad events every year. Some of them have shared their experience with us. We hope you find these stories inspirational and we thank those who have participated!
Your PSA is NOT the Only Thing You Should Have Checked
Last year when the group I ride with was approached to help with the Ride for Dad in
The day of the ride came and, at the crack of dawn, I was off for a great ride down through
As I stood waiting for the Ride to come by I began to think of the biopsy of my prostate that I had a week ago. Since I always had a PSA under one, I, like most of the doctors I had seen over the years, wasn’t too concerned. However, as the riders began to go by, I found I was looking at the riders instead of the bikes like I would have done in the past. I was wondering what they were feeling and thinking, and did any of them have prostate cancer. As the last bike went by, I jumped on my bike and fell in line, headed for the end of the parade in
Upon arriving, we were met by a man standing in the road with a sign saying how he had had prostate cancer, and he had beat it, and was holding up a big thank you. It hit me like a brick. I was glad I was wearing a full-face helmet so that nobody could see my eyes well up with tears. I hung around for a bit but had an urge to just head back to
Two weeks later I was sitting in my doctor’s office with my wife, and heard the doctor tell me I had prostate cancer.
I wanted to protect my wife from what had been said but I couldn’t breathe; I felt like I had been hit by a train. Here I was sitting beside my best friend and I couldn't help her with what she was hearing. It was like having an out of body experience. This couldn’t be happening. I had never had a PSA greater than 1. How could I have cancer?
For the last ten years I had been taking the PSA blood test. There must be a mistake! It was always less than 1. My mind took off like a tornado spinning faster and faster with questions. How was I going to tell my kids, my Mom, friends, my clients? My mind spun so fast it hurt.
Then came the visits to the specialist. One local doctor said it was not a big deal, a simple operation, eight weeks rest, and “the next time you see me you will be cured”.
The next doctor was the head of urology at the
Dr. G. then turned, looked at me and asked if, in the last five years, anyone had done a digital exam of my prostate. I said no because they were happy with such a low PSA. He then said that he tells his students always to do an exam and that, if they don’t, they will be making a huge mistake. If my doctor had done a digital exam he may have felt something that would have prompted more checks and I would not be starting out on the road of the non-stop exams.
It might not seem like a big deal to get a digital exam, but for some men it is something they can’t allow themselves to even talk about. After I got the news I started to ask my male patients what they were doing, and most went pale when I told my story. I truly thought I was doing the best for myself; instead I am in the fight of my life.
Sincerely,
Peter White
2009 Motorcycle Ride for Dad
By Keith Fong
Back in 2008, I rekindled a passion for motorcycles and got back on a bike for the first time in almost 25 years. With help from the staff at Ottawa Goodtime Centre and my friend “Biker Bob”, I bought a 2003 Suzuki VZ800 Marauder.
After a lot of PLP (parking lot practice), I embarked on the 2008 riding season and racked up over 5,000 kms – accident and incident free. But I have to admit, highway speeds seem much faster now than when I was 18.
Cancer is never an easy topic to discuss. Too many folks have either been struck with this disease, or know someone who has, or unfortunately, have lost someone to cancer. My wife Kathy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. With our then three-year old daughter in tow, and with the support of friends and family, the battle was won. Kathy is healthier and stronger than ever and is heading towards a major milestone in 2010 - ten years of remission.
Thoughts came flooding back in August 2006 when a good friend told me that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. For the first time in his 47 years on this planet, Claude was “really scared”. I am very happy to report that Claude has recovered, and is once again 3-putting on golf courses in and around Ottawa. He has adopted my motto “Everyday is a good day.”
In 2008, Claude and I connected over the Christmas holidays. In his own words, Claude not only survived prostate cancer, he survived the treatment. Ever grateful for the treatments that saved his life, Claude wanted to give back. That evening, he and I decided that we would participate in the 2009 Motorcycle Ride for Dad (MRFD), the annual fundraiser for prostate cancer research, education and awareness. The only “problem” – Claude has never been on a motorcycle! So instead of riding with me, he chose to sponsor me.
The very first MRFD was held in 2000, here in Ottawa. It attracted around 80 riders and raised approximately $25,000. Fast-forward to 2009, twenty-three communities across Canada hosted the MRFD and helped raise millions of dollars. In Ottawa, the 2009 MRFD attracted 1,800 riders and raised over $360,000.
The early morning of May 30, 2009, saw pouring rain in the west end of the city, but cleared up when I arrived at the National Aviation Museum. The 2009 Ottawa MRFD started at the Museum, had a police escort through the downtown core and out to the Kanata Business Park. The next stage took the group to Almonte, up through Pakenham, White Lake, Springtown, Calabogie and back down and across to the Civitan Centre in Almonte. The early-morning rain didn’t dampen the high spirits.
My first surprise of the day happened just outside of White Lake, when the Marauder started coughing. Already on reserve, I was moving the bike side-to-side to slosh the last of the fuel into the collector. I coasted into a gas station with about half a litre of gas left in the tank. It came awfully close to being a “walk” instead of a “ride”!
The second surprise – and the highlight of the day – was when I saw Claude on the side of the road, about 5kms from the end of the Ride. Fashioned in construction boots, a damp jean jacket two sizes too small and a 1960s-era motorcycle helmet, he climbed on and we rode “2-up” into Almonte, completing the Ride together. Hulk Hogan would have been envious of the bear hug Claude had on me. Yes, the mental images are from “Wild Hogs” and not “Easy Rider”. While Claude won’t hop on a motorcycle again any time soon, I will be back. My first MRFD was a very positive and rewarding experience.
With the generosity of friends, family and co-workers, I was able to help raise over $1,000 in my first MRFD. I will be proudly wearing my “bronze level” pin on my riding jacket this season. I have already registered for the 2010 MRFD, and am looking forward to the special activities that will mark the 10th anniversary of this event – including the cross-Canada MRFD to support prostate cancer research and awareness, and supporting Canada’s military families.
The 2010 Ottawa edition of the Motorcycle Ride for Dad is scheduled for June 5th. Hope to see you out there.