Ride for Dad
Motorcycle ride raising awareness and saving lives
SASKATOON — Vince Streukens credits being a part of the Motorcycle Ride for Dad with saving his life. Streukens, the event’s ride captain, was diagnosed with prostate cancer a few years ago. He said he never would have caught it as early as he did if it weren’t for what he learned at the Ride for Dad event for prostate cancer awareness in the Saskatchewan city.
“I wouldn’t have known to get checked to start with,” Streukens said. “I know that men get sick, and I want men to get checked early ... We have no concept of who’s going to come down with it and who’s not.”
Last Saturday marked the 10th annual rally in the city. Hundreds of bikers drove their machines out to the Western Development Museum to start the event. From newer and more streamlined bikes to vehicles with passenger sidecars to the big, classic-looking hogs, almost every kind of motorcycle could be seen in the lot by the museum.
Part of the Ride for Dad event involves fundraising — individual riders ask for pledges and donations throughout the year to raise money for prostate cancer awareness, education, and research. Roddy Edwards raised the most money for the cause in 2017 with more than $6,000 brought in.
This year, the 63-year-old said he’s already tallied more than $9,000, and is looking to be the top money-raiser once again.
Edwards has met people at Ride for Dad who were diagnosed with prostate cancer, but he’s also known men who have said they went to get checked because of the event and caught it early enough that it’s now in remission.
“It’s wonderful to see these rewards, to see these survivors,” Edwards said. “Our message is getting out there.”- Like it did for Vince Streukens, understanding the risks and going in to a doctor for an examination potentially saved their lives.
When Glen Martens first rode in the event back in 2010, he said he just wanted to be a part of a big motorcycle drive for a good cause. Since then, he’s seen a family member and a close friend both be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Now the ride has taken on a much more personal meaning.
“I’m here helping a friend, and there’s lots of people here helping their friends,” Mar- tens said.
“It’s actually accomplishing something ... We’re accomplishing something.”
The hundreds of bikers in attendance at the most recent Motorcycle Ride for Dad were brought together due to their love of biking, their desire to be a part of prostate cancer awareness and fundraising, or both. Martens is now joined on the ride by his son Zach, who’s been taking part with his father since 2015.
The ride this year was just over 100 kilometres.