John McNamara jokingly describes himself as the most annoying fundraiser ever. His tenacity when it comes to collecting donations has allowed him to personally raise nearly $13,000 for BMO Ride for Cancer over the past three years, and he has his sights set on reaching the $15,000 mark at this year’s 10th anniversary event being held on September 28.
John, who is married with two adult daughters, has worked as a Business Systems Analyst with Nova Scotia Power for the past 14 years. When it comes to BMO Ride for Cancer, he was one of the top 30 fundraisers in 2023, a volunteer with the event’s executive leadership committee, and team captain of this year’s Emera/NS Power Team. He’s deeply appreciative to have such a great network of family, friends, and co-workers to support him each year which is due, in part, to his close personal connection to cancer.
John, his father, and older brother are all prostate cancer survivors, while his younger brother passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2007 after surviving the disease as an infant. His family history of prostate cancer made him high-risk, so he wasn’t at all surprised with his own cancer diagnosis four years ago.
“I knew it was coming, I just didn’t know when,’’ he admits.
The Hammonds Plains resident, who selflessly kept his initial cancer diagnosis a secret until after his daughter’s wedding, is partaking in the 75km trail ride this year. He’s grateful to his company for its continued support through fund matching and volunteer credit programs which have become instrumental in his fundraising efforts to date.
“My goal this year is $2,300 so that I can reach the $15,000 total mark,’’ says the avid trail, mountain, and fat bike rider who spends a lot of time in the seat year-round and feels very well prepared for the ride already.
John says he loves the fact he knows exactly where the money raised will be going rather than simply into a general fund. Each year, our BMO Ride community rallies behind a new and tangible cause focus that will directly impact cancer treatment and care at the QEII Health Sciences Centre. In 2024, it’s funding liquid biopsy technology that will help determine if a patient’s cancer is cured after surgery, if it has returned, and if so, how to best treat it.
“Each year, you can see the equipment we fund and say that I played a part in that,’’ he explains. “There’s so many people affected and it’s not just the people that have cancer: it’s their family and their friends, and especially the people left behind. It affects everybody really.’’
Like so many others, John says it’s the overwhelming sense of comradery that he’s most looking forward to on BMO Ride event day.
“It’s a celebration and the stories that people share are so inspiring that they bring energy to the ride. I’m proud to be raising money for such a worthwhile event.’’
John will be thinking about all the people he knows that have been affected by cancer as he rides, including a friend currently going through treatment. However, he’ll also be thinking about all those who have “lost their battle against cancer”, especially his late brother whose picture he brings along with him on the ride.
Although he has participated in BMO Ride for Cancer a number of times now, crossing the finish line is always an emotional experience for John.
“I usually get quite filled-up knowing the people we’ve lost.’’
A community volunteer in many ways, the cancer crusader has become somewhat of an activist as well, taking every opportunity in his day-to-day life to spread awareness of prostate cancer and the importance of getting tested. It’s a prime example of John’s ongoing commitment to helping fellow cancer survivors, patients and their loved ones and why our 2024 BMO Ride for Cancer event is proud to have him onboard as an official ambassador.
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