|
My Team Page Join My Team
|
To print out a donation form, click here
|
Jer and I With the "In Honour Of" Certificate, which went with me on the ride!
|
|
I'M BAAAAAAAACK!!!
Welcome to my Personal Page!
In June 2009, my son Jeremy and I, along with 5 others formed a team in B.C.'s inaugural Ride to Conquer Cancer. It consisted of a 2 day bike ride from Vancouver to Seattle.
The others on our team, Chris, Tyler, Warren, Shane and E.J., of course had their own personal reasons for participating, but Jeremy and I became involved as a result of Maddy, his daughter being diagnosed with cancer. I can't tell you how scary that was!!! But I'm happy to report, that after an operation and radiation treatment, she is doing great. Maddy's grandmother, Lola is a cancer survivor, and my Dad passed away from cancer.
Our family is no different, in that this disease affects all of us in one way or another. So we decided to commit to the ride, to offer support, as well as to do our part in trying to make a difference!!
During the process of canvassing friends, relatives, acquaintances, etc., for donations, I heard many stories of inspiration, and unfortunately many tragic ones as well. I wanted to be able to "give back" to those who contributed to my ride, and came up the idea of asking each donor if I could ride for someone on their behalf. The certificate that Jer and I are holding in the above picture is the list of those who I "Rode in Honour Of". I took it with me on the ride, and it provided me with inspiration numerous times, when the experience became challenging.
As a team, we raised in excess of $18,000, for which are proud. As a group of 1701 riders, we raised $6.9 Million. Truly amazing,...and all made possible by your contributions. So Thank You!, from the bottom of my heart!
That was then,.....but this is now. Jeremy has convinced me to do it again next year. I'll be honest,...at the conclusion this year, I uttered those famous last words, "I'll never do that again!!!". But, after a few days, I realized how much I had enjoyed the experience. But more importantly, I also realized that the job is not over. There is still much work to do, and this is my way of trying to beat this horrible disease! I'm asking you to play your part by contributing to myself, or at least someone else in this event! A cure can be found. Jeremy quotes the leader of the Team Finn team, as saying "This isn't only the ride to conquer cancer, this is the ride to end this ride!!". So let's hope that we won't need to be doing this in the not too distant future. But we need your help,.....NOW!!
Contribute to this history-making event with a donation. Funds raised in The Ride to Conquer Cancer will support breakthrough research, exemplary teaching, and compassionate care made possible through BC Cancer Foundation, a leader in cancer research and care.
When you make your donation, you can place the name of the person or persons you'd like me to ride "in honour of", in the recognition or message area so that I can to add it to the list.
Thank you in advance for your help.
|
|
Pat's Blog (Team Team Mad Eh! Now Part of "Riders for Ryder")
Topics
Hi There;
The big Olympic party has just ended,and the athletes are now heading home, after an amazing 17 days! Neil Young serenaded us as the flame was extinguished, to the tune of "Long May You Run!" But another group of over 2000 athletes, myself included, are now starting our training for an event in June that will take place over a two day period, to raise funds for cancer research. And I'd like to rename Neil's song "Long May You Ride!", since this event is a cycling event, covering in excess of 260 km.
A lot of you supported me in this endeavour last year, and this is a request your support once more, for this year's ride! As well, this is a new request for a lot of you. I realize that many of you donate to multiple charitable causes,....and that some need to pick only one or two to support. I am asking that you please consider this event be one of the ones that you support. Any donation in excess of $10, is eligible for a tax receipt (both Canadian and U.S.).
It sounds like a lofty goal, but just like the Olympic athletes,......you don't achieve success unless you aim high!!!! The vision is clear - a world free from cancer. The money you donate for The Ride to Conquer Cancer will benefit the BC Cancer Foundation and support leading clinicians, scientists, and researchers whose search for new discoveries and improved patient outcomes will have a real impact in our communities throughout the province, across Canada, and around the world. In other words, your support will accelerate the conquest of cancer.
The team that I am riding with this year is called "Riders for Ryder". We are riding in memory of our Captain, Jimi Brockett's 5 year old son, Ryder, who passed away last year, 17 months after initially being diagnosed with brain cancer and almost a year after surviving brain cancer for it only to return and claim his life.
I don't need to go into why this cause is so important, because we all have "our story", and there are probably very few of you receiving this email that haven't been touched by this terrible disease in some way. So I believe that with your help in raising money and with enough people we can achieve our goal. I believe it with every fiber of my being, that there will be a day when we will no longer have to participate in this ride, or other events like it.
As I did last year,..... when you make your donation, you can place the name of the person or persons you'd like me to ride "in honour of", in the recognition or message area so that I can to add it to the list. That list will travel with me on the journey, providing me with inspiration over the two days!
Thank you all in advance for any support, financial or emotional that you provide!
Cheers!
ps - I had the honour of being a torchbearer, in the Olympic Torch relay,.......and am using the Torch as a vehicle to raise more money for the Ride. Here is a link to a celebration that we had at a local restaurant where I had the opportunity to share the torch with some "neighbours". It was tremendous success on all levels.
http://picasaweb.google.ca/brando3103/NeighbourS#
by Pat Brand on Tue, Mar 02, 2010 @ 1:07 AM
Permanent Link
No Comments
Hi;
Jer and I hosted our first Ride fund raiser,....... a bbq poker night last night. It was fewer players than expected,....but everyone had a great time. So much so that we're having another one on November 7th. So stay tuned if you're interested. If it wasn't for the fact that this was a fund raiser, we may have been run out of town, since you'll never guess who won the tournament!! Yep,.....Jer was first and I was second,.....but all our winnings went to the ride,...so it kickstarted our campaign. Thanks to everyone who attended.
Cheers!
Pat
by Pat Brand on Sun, Sep 27, 2009 @ 11:43 PM
Permanent Link
No Comments
Hi;
This is my first blog installment for next year's event. I sent an e-mail to my "hit list" of folks that I communicated with this year, just to let them know that I've signed up for next year,.....and to keep me in mind when it comes time to consider charitable donations.
As you may have noticed, we've joined forces with another group,....called "Riders for Ryder", in an effort to field an even larger team,...and be able to raise more money. That's the whole point of this thing,....right!
Shane held a barbecue a couple of weeks ago, and raised over $800,......so he's well on his way! Jer and I are hosting a poker tournament this weekend, Saturday Sept 26th,.......with burgers and beer. It should be fun, with the money of course going to a good cause.
I participated on something called a Celebration Ride, hosted by the Ride Organizers, for folks who participated in this year's event. There was a 35km and 50km ride, starting at Burnaby North High School, going out to Ioco and Belcarra. It was a beautiful sunny day, with over 200 riders taking part. It was sure fun being back cycling in a large group. The Barnet Hwy. was an adventure, but once into Port Moody the ride was great! It was mostly uphill all the way back,....so it was a bit more challenging,....but nothing like we had on "The Ride".
They are planning to host more of these over the coming months, so stay tuned. Anyone can participate, and it's a great way to ease into this whole experience, and see if it's something you'd like to do.
My running partner has just discovered cycling, and prefers it much more than running,....so I guess we'll be doing more of that now. Although it will likely only be on weekends, given the darker nights now! The next trick is to convince him to enter the ride next June!
Well, that's about it for now,....but keep checking back, since I'll be trying to update this regularly.
Cheers, and thanks for reading this!
Pat
by Pat Brand on Tue, Sep 22, 2009 @ 5:04 PM
Permanent Link
No Comments
If you think this page contains objectionable content, please inform the system administrator.
|
|
Mr. Pat J Brand
Goal: $3,200.00
Achieved: $5,272.00
|
