Family honours Suzanne’s legacy
Husband and two children will climb on bikes for Ride to Conquer Cancer
For Suzanne Vickers, a 41- year- old mother of two, it started as a nagging cough.
Months of medical appointments resulted in little relief and false diagnoses of a sore throat, a cold, maybe pneumonia.
Until one frigid, fall weekend the cough became severe, and a battery of more- specific tests ultimately resulted in a diagnosis no one ever wants to hear.
“It was colorectal cancer, Stage IV. She was given three years to live,” said Suzanne’s husband, Mark Vickers. “The cancer had spread so much, it had inflamed her liver so that it was pressing up against her lungs, making her cough.”
But Vickers said that on the same day his wife was given her grim timeline, she also decided to spend her remaining time with as much zest and positive energy as possible.
“She decided she would make every day like it was her last day on earth. She just accepted it and she wasn’t angry. I was angry, but she wasn’t.
“Not once did she complain. She went through so much, all different types of chemotherapy, but she still gave her time and herself to others, to the people she loved.”
Mark and his two children, Jake and Kate, aged 20 and 16, respectively, will climb onto their bikes this weekend in honour of Suzanne in the 7th annual Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer.
“They’ve learned so much from their mother, about how to be kind, and grateful for every day,” Mark added.
“And when I ride, and I feel the pain of the long ride, I think about Suzanne, and realize it’s nothing compared to what she went through.”
The largest cycling fundraiser in Alberta, the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer has raised more than $ 46 million to date, with an announcement on how much more will be raised this year expected just before the event kicks off Saturday.
While Mark has been riding since 2012, and son Jake has been riding since 2011, this year will be daughter Kate’s first ride, fulfilling a promise to her mother to honour and continue her legacy.
The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer starts Saturday at Canada Olympic Park at 8 a. m., riding to Okotoks, camping overnight, and then returning back to COP on Sunday, anytime between 10 a. m. and 5 p. m.
For further details, go to conquercancer. ca.