By Darren Lum
Published April 23 2019
Cancer takes a lot from those who are afflicted with it directly and the loved ones affected indirectly.
As a child Lindsay Draper of Wilberforce remembers when her step-father had cancer and how her family endured the financial struggles.
Draper is inviting the public to join her in helping raise awareness and money for breast cancer patients when she will ride in the Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Foundation fundraiser TraX4 Breast Cancer ATV event on May 3 and 4.
“My step dad had cancer. He didn’t have breast cancer but he had cancer. For me as a child growing up with a parent with cancer I understand a little too much about the financial struggles that come with it” she said. “It touched me on a personal level … Not necessarily the breast cancer but the financial side of things because I know what it’s like to have a parent go through cancer treatment. There is no financial assistance out there. We did without a lot of things. If I can help one parent with keeping a roof over their head or food on the table. Or even having the dignity of having a wig or a prosthetic then to me it’s worth it” she said.
The first time she learned about the Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Foundation was when she was asked by a friend to participate in the Kelly Shires Breast Cance r Foundation snowmobiling event that raises awareness and money for men and women with breast cancer.
Draper a volunteer for the foundation’s event for the past 10 years said the foundation is the only one of its kind and only helps Canadians (excluding Quebec residents who organize their own event).
“We financially support men and women who are fighting breast cancer. We don’t do research. We give financial assistance for things that are not covered under OHIP or covered private healthcare or private insurance” she said.
The two-day family event starts May 3.
Participants are asked to fundraise by collecting pledges and donations.
The minimum pledge for first time participants is $300 and $650 for repeat participants. The minimum for passengers is $280. The minimum pledge for children under 15 is $50.
“With that you get two days of riding as well as lunch and dinner on Friday and breakfast lunch and dinner covered on Saturday” Draper said.
The registration deadline is Wednesday April 24. Draper pointed out side-by-sides are encouraged to join the fun who will be riding on routes which are part of the Haliburton ATV Association and Kawartha ATV Association trail systems.
On Friday the event’s Early Bird Ride starts at 10 a.m. at the Pinestone Resort and Conference Centre. The ride is planning on going to Tek Rider Canada where a lunch will be held. The next day the Pink Ribbon Ride starts after the event’s opening ceremonies which starts at 8:30 a.m. The ceremonies will include speeches to remember the ATV fundraising event’s co-founder Tracey Guthrie who died two years ago.
“This is her legacy and we’re really trying to keep everything going in her honour” Draper said. “With it being the 10th anniversary we’re really going to be focusing on honouring her and what she did for the charity and what she did for women in general with breast cancer.”
Draper has been a participant of this ATV ride for six years including 10 years for the winter snowmobile all-female fundraiser event.
In the past the ATV event was usually held in the Parry Sound area but she wanted to draw people to her home county where she believes the trails are unrivalled.
“I think we have the best trails in Ontario and we needed a change. So why not for the biggest year right?” she said referring to its 10th anniversary. “So we threw caution to the wind and [decided to] try it out.”
See www.trax4bc.com for more information on the event.
