A Richmond resident will ride 200 kilometres between Cloverdale and Hope with his team of 18 cyclists next month to raise funds for cancer research.
Edmond Chan's wife Christina passed away from acute myeloid leukemia in 2020 after a 17-year battle. Since then, he has been donating blood and raising awareness by organizing blood drives, and in 2021, he was recognized by the Canadian Blood Services for passing the 100-donation mark.
When Chan heard about the Tour de Cure, B.C.'s largest cycling fundraiser that benefits the BC Cancer Foundation, it was a "no-brainer" for the philanthropist who also loves cycling.
"What I've learned from fundraising over these years is you don't get what you don't ask," said Chan. "So I will have to keep asking. So in order to keep asking, I have to keep participating."
'Makes the pain more tolerable'
Running from Aug. 24 to 25, this is Chan's third Tour de Cure. He said the one-day format in 2022 was "less intimidating," making it easier for him to take the plunge for the first time.
He went at it alone in his first year and formed a small team of four in 2023. A year later, he has more than quadrupled the team with co-captain Kent Mui.
"I've always been a grassroots fundraiser, primarily for blood cancer causes..." said Chan. "But cancer is cancer."
The "Cyclists for Cure" team will also ride later this month in the Cypress Challenge, which supports pancreatic cancer research, and the Triple Crown for Heart, an event that raises money for children and families with congenital heart disease.
Chan said the riders on the team "just love the sport." The fundraising events give them an excuse to get through the punishing long rides and steep hills.
It "makes the pain more tolerable," Chan said.
'You never do it alone'
Chan joined his first Tour de Cure in 2022 as a solo participant, but he said it didn't feel that way.
"The fact is that you never do it alone," he told the Richmond News.
Surrounded by people riding for the same cause, Chan said people can join up regardless of their skill level. The only difference riding this year, he said, is that he'll be turning up in team jerseys with his teammates and bringing more energy to the ride.
Chan and Mui began recruiting members for the team last fall and have managed to assemble a group of cyclists from all over the Lower Mainland.
The process happened "organically," said Chan, explaining that they had met their youngest member while grabbing coffee during one of their team outings. The team also has a member based in the U.S., who is participating in similar local fundraising rides while donning the team jersey.
Location is not a reason to exclude other cyclists, Chan said, because "cancer doesn't care."
Chan added: "the research supporting the sciences will find its way to benefit everybody around the world."
Cycling team looking to grow
With just over one month to go, the team is focusing on fundraising and riding "as many times" as possible.
Chan is also hoping the team will continue to grow in numbers.
"I keep telling people I've been making it up as I go along," he said. "The ultimate goal for the whole thing is to eradicate cancer. And one day, that should happen.
Until then, he said, "we just need to keep doing what we can."
Cyclists for Cure have raised $64,000 out of their current fundraising goal of $66,000. To donate or learn more about the team, click here. Follow Chan's fundraising journey on Instagram @cyclistsforcure.
- With files from the Richmond News.
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