As I take on the Great Cycle Challenge for the ninth time, I will share my motivation for riding 400 km in the month of August to raise money for Sick Kids Hospital's Oncology Programme.
This spring, I celebrated thirteen years since my surgery for ovarian cancer. In 2013, when I was diagnosed, I had one grandchild. I now have four. I would never have had the opportunity to meet and love three of them if it had not been for the excellent medical care I received.
I was present to cheer my daughter Catharine as she rode to an Olympic bronze medal in mountain biking at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and I have celebrated her transition from International cycling competitor to Coach of the Canadian Mountain Bike team.
I celebrated my son Geoff as he gained a Masters in Disaster Management, and is now Deputy Emergency Program Co-ordinator for the City of Victoria, BC.
With my husband Bruce, I have boated on the Amazon and hiked Machu Picchu, in Peru and Torres Del Paine and El Chaltén, in Patagonia. We have cycled throughout Croatia and Cuba, and visited Haiti, Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Roatan. I have driven across Canada by myself and with Bruce.
And I have been able to give back by raising more than $25,540 ($19,624.00 of that through the GCC so far) for cancer research through such events as the Enbridge Ride, The Tour of Hope, and the Great Cycle Challenge. Through Cancer Support networks, I have been able to encourage other women who travel this same journey.
To say I am grateful would not begin to express my appreciation. I truly recognize the gift of time that I have been given and thank every single person involved in my care.
A few years ago, Isaac Jewett and I teamed up to form Team Isaac. If you would like to learn more about Team Isaac, or contribute to the Great Cycle Challenge, please go to: www.greatcyclechallenge.ca and enter my name as participant. Isaac and I would love your continued support. He is now enjoying being a cancer free 15 year old.
Johanna
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