The key to survival of any cancer is early detection.
Charles Brunette, the Ride For Dad event organizer, is asking wives, mothers, sisters and friends to step in and help.
"I am asking women to join the fight against prostate cancer and get their men to get checked because we all know that men don't go to the doctor and don't do what they're told," Brunette laughed. "We're all ten feet tall and bulletproof."
The second annual Ride For Dad - On the Move for Prostate Cancer fundraiser goes Saturday at Kinsmen Hall with the ride starting at 11 a.m., with lunch back at the hall at noon and a poker ride in the afternoon.
"There really is no minimum age to get a PSA test (prostate specific antigen test) so doctors can establish a baseline to compare during follow-up appointments every five years until the age of 50 and then every year after that," said Brunette. "There is a fee but it is a small price to pay to know that you're not one of seven men in Canada that will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year."
To have a baseline test will give a doctor a gauge so if numbers go up on the PSA test in later years further testing can be done, Brunette explained.
Prostate cancer is a common form of cancer. It is estimated there are 1.2 million men with prostate cancer in Canada. However, 800,000 men don't know they have it.
"But prostate cancer has a 90 per cent cure rate if caught early," said Brunette, who was deeply affected when he lost a co-worker to prostate cancer within six month of diagnosis.
Last year 147 people attended the inaugural Ride For Dad with $11,000 raised during the one-day event.
"We're hoping to top those numbers this year," said Brunette. "I am so happy that Northern Health is the local presenting sponsor because their focus this year is men's health. It's all about raising awareness about the disease and getting men checked."
Registration at the event starts at 10 a.m. People wishing to register Friday night can visit Kinsmen Hall from 7 to 9 p.m.
"The first 200 people to register get their lunch free at the Kinsmen Hall," said Brunette. "At 11 a.m. sharp we'll go on a police escorted parade through the city. And we're talking flashing lights and sirens and everything else. Then the parade comes back to the Kinsmen Hall for a barbecue lunch and at 1 we have the poker run that goes until about 3:30. Best hands get prizes, there are door prizes and prizes for people who have traveled the farthest, and those who raised the most pledges for the day."
People don't have to be on a motorcycle to enjoy the day.
"If people would like to have a look at the motorcycles and grab a $5 lunch they are more than welcome to stop by," said Brunette. "All proceeds go to prostate cancer research."
All funds will go into a trust, along with the $11,000 that was raised last year, to build up the total. In the fall, grant applications will be accepted from local organizations and administered through the B.C. Cancer Agency.
Participants can pre-register Friday at Kinsmen Hall, 777 Kinsmen Place, from 7 to 9 p.m. or on ride day from 9 to 10:45 a.m. Doug Jones, host of 99.3 The Drive, is the celebrity ride captain for the event.
For more information or to register online visit www.RideForDad.ca.
