The wheels are turning in Mike McGuire's head. He's already got a funny joke about Lance Armstrong, but it isn't often a comedian gets to make fun of cancer. He gets to shift those gears Thursday night for the Wheely Funny Fundraiser.
McGuire is one of the city's premier standup comics and the headliner of this comedy show for charity. All the money raised goes to the Wheelin' Warriors of The North, a local group participating in a province-wide bicycle event in aid of cancer research, the Ride To Conquer Cancer.
"We have over 70 riders," from the Prince George area taking part in the 2018 edition of Wheelin' Warriors, said Bruce Siddall, one of the local cyclists taking part.
"And in the six years since the team was formed in 2013 by Karin Piche it's raised over $700,000."
Piche is still the local team's leader, but each of those 70-plus riders is responsible for generating at least $2,500 to the provincial cause, then peddling in the two-day event. This year the Ride To Conquer Cancer goes from Cloverdale to Hope covering 200 km.
"Anything I can do to help," said McGuire, as to why he was donating his comedy time and talents, plus the under-card of Cindy Klassen, Virginia O'Dine, Brian Majore and Jon White all at Artspace Thursday night.
"I know a lot of the Wheelin' Warriors," McGuire said.
"Those guys are riding 200 km, each one of them raising money. They are amazing, especially since most of them have gone through incredibly difficult experiences with cancer. Some of them are survivors themselves, and some of them have had loved ones go through it. Some have had to face both. And yet they maintain this incredible, upbeat attitude and train for months for something grueling to the body."
One of those all too personal participants is Lisa Hoek, one of the beneficiaries of the Wheely Funny Fundraiser. The event proceeds go to her entry obligations, along with Siddall and Jill Carter.
Hoek said she became a rider on the Wheelin' Warriors team over a two-year progression that started when she was in the midst of her own cancer battle.
"I was in the middle of radiation treatment at the time, and Karen (Piche) had known me for years, so she invited me to the 2016 dinner," Hoek said. "What I felt that night was incredible - all the support. By 2017 I was still not ready to ride but I was a crew member, so I could experience the ride, assisting the riders as they complete each leg and take their pit-stops. Now I'm riding. I lost my brother to leukemia when I was five, I was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 44 and I am still a survior, my father died of lung cancer when I was 45 and my mom was just diagnosed with breast cancer two weeks ago. Cancer has really come after me and my family. I have five kids, so I look at them and it is even more dear to my heart. I have to do this. I have to fight."
"This will be my Golden Helmet year - my fifth Ride To Conquer Cancer," said Siddall.
"Cancer can be beaten, and it's because of the dedication of the amazing team I'm on, Wheelin' Warriors Of The North that by one pedal stroke at time, we will beat it. All the monies raised through the Ride To Conquer Cancer will go to cancer research at the BC Cancer Agency. See you at the finish line."
McGuire and his merry band of comedians are going to pump their tires for the big Ride To Conquer Cancer on Aug. 25-26. The Wheely Funny Fundraiser is sponsored by Pacific Western Brewing.
The jokes start flying at 7 p.m., tickets are $20 each available in advance at Books & Company or at the door while supplies last.
