Richmond resident Dennis Soriano first rode the Tour de Cure in 2012 - and every year after that - for his mother who had breast cancer.
Last year, however, his fundraising efforts and the 200-kilometre bike ride changed focus from one parent to the other.
In 2022, Soriano rode in memory of his father who passed away from an aggressive form of esophageal cancer just a couple months before the Cloverdale-Hope cycling trip.
“Last year was tough but I still rode on, in memory of him, because he passed a couple of months prior to the ride.”
This year will be his 11th time taking part in Tour de Cure, and he’s encouraging the public to help raise money, ride along or just cheer along the sidelines.
“If anyone has time to get out there, there are certain points in the course of the ride where people gather to support the riders, that’s huge for people that are riding that distance.”
Tour de Cure is B.C.’s biggest cycling fundraiser for cancer research and care where Soriano and about 2,000 cyclists ride 100 kilometres on both Aug. 26 and Aug. 27.
“It’s been over a year now not having dad around… and I want to dedicate another year to him and my mom who is a cancer survivor,” said Soriano.
He described his father as a selfless individual who was the biggest supporter in his fundraising and training for the Tour de Cure.
“My dad would always be the guy where you can call him and he would pick me up wherever it was and help me out. He would always put others before himself.”
Soriano’s annual tradition of cycling for the Tour de Cure began two years after his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“After (my mom’s) time dealing with treatments and surgeries …. I was always looking for something to give back to the community,” he said.
Aside from the doctors and researchers, Soriano added, the community, friends and people in general have helped his family and other cancer patients make the recovery period more comfortable.
“My goal is to keep pushing towards fundraising every year so that people don’t have to go through what we went through last year with my dad.”
To support Soriano and his ride, click here.
