Randolph Westphall didn't count on spending August in Prince George, but he has made himself at home alongside many new friends.
The German cyclist and Stage 4 melanoma (skin cancer) survivor found his bike trip across western Canada derailed Aug. 1 when an infection in his left lower leg forced him to get off his bike so he could lay down in the ditch on Highway 97 north of Hixon. On of his new friends is Sufey Chen, one of the three women who stopped and call for an ambulance. The two were reunited for the first time Saturday at the Kordyban Lodge, where Westphall was moved to last week after doctors determined he no longer needed to be at University Hospital of Northern B.C.
"You see someone who needs help and you help them," said Chen.
Katrina Molendyk, Ashley Stoppler and Chen delayed their journey to Whistler for a yoga workshop to sit with Westphall until the ambulance and the RCMP showed up.
"Katrina was driving and she immediately slammed on the brakes and didn't even take the keys out of the ignition, she just started sprinting across the highway," said the 19-year-old. "Ashley was right behind and I took the keys out and went after them."
Chen added that she was "terrified" when they stopped at first as dozens of questions swirled through her mind - Who was the man in the ditch? Was he OK? But it didn't take long for the three women to realize how "sweet" Westphall was.
"I think about this all the time, but if I was on the side of the road I would want someone to help me," said Chen. "Randolph is a hell of an inspiring guy. He's amazing. We sat there for two hours and he told us about his story, although he was not exactly coherent all the time."
The infection in his leg will require six more days of antibiotics and then doctors told him he will need to stay in Prince George for two more weeks while they monitor him to make sure the infection doesn't flare up again.
Westphall was given six months to live when he was diagnosed with melanoma - 26 years ago. He has travelled around the world, telling his story to try and raise awareness about melanoma and is in the Guinness Book of World Records for longest bike trip with two dogs.
When he was moved to the Kordyban Lodge last Thursday, Westphall was able to retrieve his bike and his Alaskan malamutes Nanook and her son Chinook.
"The dogs were happy to see me," said Westphall. "I was happy to see the dogs. It was perfect."
He added the Prince George shelter took good care of his dogs
Staying at the Kordyban Lodge costs Westphall about $50 per day, which is better than the more than $1,000 per day it was costing him to sleep in a bed, plus other expenses, at the hospital. Westphall tries to live on $15 per day when he's travelling.
"I'm still a bit depressed I have to stay a couple of weeks here, but the people are helpful," he said.
In addition to Chen's visit Saturday, Mike Allan, a melanoma survivor in Prince George, has visited Westphall regularly. The trio are putting their heads together to brainstorm ideas of what they can do so Westphall will have the opportunity to share his stories with more people, in addition to raising some money to take care of his hospital bills.
"My story is not just for cancer people it's for everybody," said Westphall. "I tell them the truth and that's not always pretty."
Chen said everybody can learn a lot from the "Living Legend" what Westphall was dubbed for surviving 26 years.
"I think people can learn that if you have the intention to do something in your life, you can do anything you want to do," said Chen. "He's a living example of someone who has completely overcome all odds. To hear his story is incredibly inspiring."
Anyone who would like to help put on a speaking engagement with Randolph Westphall email him at [email protected] or email Sufey Chen at [email protected].
