So far, Kathy MacPherson has helped her team raise $3,000 for their 2021 Ride for Cancer powered by BMO Bank of Montreal by selling homemade baked goods. Contributed.
Kathy MacPherson is combining her talent for baking with her love of cycling to support Atlantic Canadians facing the fight against cancer.
This year, Kathy is riding 75 km with Ride for Cancer powered by BMO Bank of Montreal, an event she joined in 2018 to maintain her cycling hobby – and to give back to her community.
“When I turned 50, I started cycling to work from Cole Harbour to the IWK as a nurse to keep up on my health and fitness,” Kathy explains. “I did it for years, then work got busier so I started driving again. When I retired, I saw Ride for Cancer as a great opportunity to get back into cycling.”
Like countless others in our community, Kathy and her family have been touched by cancer. She lost her father, some other family members, and a few dear friends to the disease, and felt moved to do something for those facing the fight.
“I felt drawn in some way to the QEII Foundation and to Ride for Cancer. I wanted to do something here, something now,” says Kathy.
When Kathy retired, she also took the opportunity to enroll in a professional baking course to learn how to create delicious pastries and breads.
“It really elevated my use of flavors and taught me how to bake in large quantities,” says Kathy.
With her newly honed skills, Kathy thought that baking would be the perfect way to fundraise for her Ride.
“I have a booth at the Heritage Farm in Cole Harbour on Wednesday afternoons,” Kathy says. “I have also been doing online fundraisers through social media, where people can comment and buy my baking. It’s been really successful – people keep asking me to let them know the next time I’m selling some!”
Kathy’s assortment of lemon-infused cinnamon rolls, focaccia breads, cookies, scones and more have helped her team raise nearly $3,000 and counting for this year’s Ride.
Even though Kathy’s days have been bustling amidst baking and her part-time return to nursing on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, she’s still finding time to cycle to prepare for her Ride – with a little help from family.
“This year, I’m looking forward to riding with my son, Aaron, and granddaughter, Brooklyn,” Kathy reveals. “In some of my earlier Rides, I got a bit lonely towards the last few kilometers. Having them along in this year’s Ride for Cancer will be really motivational. It’s a great thing to do with the family.”
“There’s always so much energy during Ride,” Kathy smiles. “People are so supportive and happy. It makes such a difference to know that we’re really making advancements in cancer treatment, extending people’s lives and their quality of life.”
Thanks to the support of her family and the palpable energy and excitement in our community surrounding Ride day, Kathy feels well prepared to tackle whatever this year’s event throws her way. Kathy also has her own motivations that she holds close to her heart while she’s riding along Nova Scotia’s winding trails.
“During one of my solo Rides, the final 20 km were uncomfortable and a bit painful,” Kathy shares. “But then I thought of my friend with cancer and the pain he suffered through during his many radiation treatments. That kept me going too.”
While Ride for Cancer has hit capacity for in-person registrations to safely execute the event experience for 2021, you can support Kathy, Aaron, and Brooklyn’s team and help fund the fight against cancer by clicking here!
Rider Stories are presented by:
Our Ride Community is comprised of inspiring advocates, warriors, survivors and fighters. This community is the reason we ride, to make an impact on cancer care for them and for future generations. As a proud sponsor of Ride for Cancer, AstraZeneca helps share these stories and inspires our community to continue the fight against cancer.