A mother and daughter team are continuing the battle against cancer that took a loved one away by riding their bikes from Vancouver to Seattle as part of the BC Cancer Foundation's Ride to Conquer Cancer on June 20 and 21.
In an effort to reach the $5,000 needed to participate, the pair are hosting a fundraiser featuring Rod Stewart tribute artist Kenny Holliday at the Grizzly Bar and Grill on Saturday (May 16).
Less than three year's ago, Cheryle and Jen Bass lost husband and father Jim Bass after two separate bouts with cancer. He was first diagnosed shortly after Jen, now 33, was born and was cured after 10 years of treatment, which was continually progressing through research. But in 2006, 20 years after the final original treatment, Jim was diagnosed with another form of cancer.
The family attributes Jim's years of survival to strong support they received from the BC Cancer Foundation. Jen realizes she came close to never knowing her father, she said.
"My dad may not have survived without them. Because of them I got to know him," she said, adding that the act of raising money through a great personal challenge is a fitting way to give back in his memory.
"For me a big part of it is it's in the spirit of my father. He was quite the adventurer. And also to do something with my mom to help other families who are going through the same thing we went through."
Cheryle and Jen chose to name their team Apples and Wild Roses, "two of my father's favourite things," said Jen. The pair will ride about 100 km each day and have the opportunity to share stories with others during the overnight rest at the Celebration Station.
Cheryle, 55, lives in Brackendale and has been putting in a lot of time in the saddle in preparation for the epic ride. She usually rides 20 km in the mornings and had her first 50-kilometre pedal last week. Although she came up with the idea to take part in the Ride to Conquer Cancer, she couldn't do it without her daughter, she said.
"It's a way to give back and we can support each other. I wouldn't have done it by myself," she said.
So far, the team has raised close to $2,000 of the $5,000 needed to participate. They hope the fundraiser, which includes a silent auction supported by local businesses, attracts a good deal of attention.
The event is also featuring a Big Hair for Cancer Contest in the spirit of Holliday's blonde do. The person with the biggest hair will receive a prize.
Tickets cost $15 and are available at Trinity Romance Shop, Garibaldi Graphics and Gelato Carina. Doors open at 8 p.m. and show starts at 9 p.m. All proceeds are going to the Ride to Conquer Cancer. More information is available at www.conquercancer.ca.
