Author: Rachael Dyal, Chronicle Herald/SaltWire – Publish date: June 26, 2024
Patti Davidson (pictured above) couldn’t hold back her tears as she reflected on the profound impact that BMO Ride for Cancer has had on her and other people diagnosed with cancer in Nova Scotia.
Davidson, who was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2018, has been doing her best to attend each BMO Ride for Cancer event that occurs in the fall and she’s personally raised over $43,000 for local cancer care.
Davidson is encouraging everyone to make a donation to BMO Ride for Cancer on June 26, as every gift is being matched – dollar-for-dollar – by a generous past rider up to $200,000. The matching gift was made by her dear friend in honour of Davidson’s ongoing cancer journey.
“If someone is willing to be that generous and double the impact and funds raised by our community, why wouldn’t we push ourselves and support an amazing cause?” she says. “All of us have been touched by cancer in some way.”
Hosted by the QEII Foundation, BMO Ride for Cancer is Atlantic Canada’s largest cycling fundraiser. The goal each ride is to raise crucial funds for cancer care at the QEII Health Sciences Centre; the region’s largest and most specialized cancer treatment hospital.
This year marks the 10th annual BMO Ride for Cancer event, which will take place on Sept. 28. This year’s participants are riding to fund liquid biopsy technology at the QEII. The technology is a new, non-invasive method to detect cancer DNA through a blood sample. This innovation will determine if a patient’s cancer is cured, if it has returned, and, if so, how best to treat it, as well as benefit those who are too unwell to undergo a traditional biopsy.
Davidson says the event, which sees every participant commit to fundraise $1,000, is a beautiful way to rally people together for an important cause.
“It’s uniting a community – cancer patients, survivors, their loved ones and friends – all pedalling for the same cause,” she says.
TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF THE RIDE
For Davidson, the impact of BMO Ride for Cancer goes beyond the physical challenge. It’s a testament to the event’s transformative power. As she cycled through her first ride in 2021, Davidson was overcome with emotion.
“Coming over the finish line is just amazing,” she says. “You achieve something and you’re working with these people for a common goal.”
As BMO Ride for Cancer aims to improve cancer care at the QEII, participants like Davidson are not only raising funds, but also changing lives.
In fact, Davidson unknowingly pedalled not just for a cause, but for a treatment for herself during her inaugural ride.
“I didn’t realize that I funds I raised in 2021 would directly impact my own cancer treatment and journey,” she says. “I received a more targeted therapy tailored to my specific cancer type, all thanks to donor support – it was mind blowing.”
According to Davidson, it’s a prime example of how donations to BMO Ride for Cancer have positively impacted her and others battling cancer.
She hopes her story will inspire others to register for the 2024 event or make a meaningful donation. Any amount helps, she says, and today those gifts go twice as far.
Her story serves as a reminder of the importance of community support and the impact of collective efforts in fighting cancer.
“I always say, everybody has to do this ride once in their life because it’s just an unbelievable event,” she says. “I encourage everyone to donate today and be a part of this.”
Today only, all donations to BMO Ride for Cancer are being matched up to $200,000. Double your impact when you donate to a rider or the event at YourRideforCancer.ca or 902 334 1546.
Pictured: Patti Davidson crossing Celebration Way at the 2022 BMO Ride for Cancer
