A big group of motorcycles will be revving up for the fight against prostate cancer this weekend.
The annual Ride For Dad event is set for Sunday. The goal is to raise awareness of prostate cancer and to spread the word about the importance of early detection. All proceeds for the event will go directly to the fight against prostate cancer, with funding staying in London.
“We have granted money to the London Health Sciences Centre and the Lawson Institute, and all of our pledge money stays right here,” says event spokesman John Patrick. “We use it for research. Sixty percent of the money goes for research, and 40% goes to awareness, where we try to make men aware that it is a curable cancer, and to get themselves checked.”
Ride for Dad brings out large crowds, according to Patrick.
“Previous years, we used to get between three and four hundred riders. We’re hoping for the same for this year.”
But if riding a motorcycle isn't your thing, there is lots of room for volunteers in other areas of the event.
“We have people who don’t ride motorcycles, or 'ride angels,' that raise funds and submit their donations to Ride for Dad,” says Patrick. “We’re always looking for volunteers to help on the committee for ‘Ride Day’ and prior to that.”
Prior to ‘Ride Day’, there will be a barbeque at the London Police Reporting Centre on Friday, May 27th, from 11am-2pm. All proceeds will go to Ride for Dad. ‘Ride Day’ will start on Sunday, May 29th at 8am in the Western Fair District parking lot. A parade will go through the city. Afterwards, a route will be laid out for leisurely riding. There will also be a post-ride barbeque at the Dorchester Fairgrounds.
More information can be found at the Ride For Dad website.
**this story was written by Samuel Gallant. Samuel is a student in the Fanshawe College broadcast journalism program. He is performing a summer internship with Blackburn News.**