On behalf of anyone impacted by cancer, Truro businessman Stu Rath is matching all donations to Ride for Cancer powered by BMO Bank of Montreal on September 10, to a total of $100,000.
With support from generous donors like Stu behind us, the Ride community has an ambitious goal to raise $1 million for breast seed brachytherapy – a minimally-invasive breast cancer treatment.
From Junior A hockey, to education and health care – Stu is embedded in his community. A champion in every sense of the word, Stu is challenging Nova Scotians to support better care for breast cancer patients.
It’s a cause close to his heart, having lost his wife, Irene ‘Rene’ Rath to breast cancer in 2006. “We had 42 years together. She supported me in all my business ventures and helped me out when I needed it,” he says. “She is my primary reason for the donation.”
“I know how much the technology for breast cancer treatment has changed – what can be done now, from what was done then,” Stu says.
“I read something recently that one in two people have cancer in their lifetime. Everybody knows someone. It’s worthy of our support.”
The goal to improve cancer care in Nova Scotia remains a constant – as cancer care never stops, not even for a pandemic.
Together, our Ride community will bring breast seed brachytherapy to the QEII. This innovative treatment reduces the routine 30 visits to a single dose of radiation – by implanting a seed the size of a grain of rice in the breast.
This means patients spend less time in hospital and are back home with loved ones, on their way to recovery. COVID-19 has magnified the importance of delivering fast, quality care to the people who need it most.
Despite COVID-19 impacting major events, the Ride team is committed to delivering a safe and memorable experience for riders on October 3 – even if it means things look a little different this year.
Riders will hop on their bikes shortly after sunrise, completing various distances on both the road and trail.
“I think it’s even more important – to do what you can – given what we’re living with right now,” Stu says.
To support a rider or learn more about why we ride, visit yourrideforcancer.ca.
Thank you to Stu Rath and his family for their generosity.
