Charity motorcycle ride supports cancer research
Joe Caruso spent more than 20 years with the army, but nothing could prepare him for a battle that hit much closer to home.
The St. Catharines man’s wife Bonnie was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in
June of 2015, after months of health issues that went undiagnosed. She had made numerous trips to the hospital, physicians and specialists, finally getting the news that she had stage three ovarian cancer. Within days she had a PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) line and was receiving treatment.
“It was tough to go through. They had a hard time diagnosing her and didn’t know what she had. Then we got the news and everything changed quickly,” said Joe.
Bonnie continued to battle, and Joe made the decision last November to take a leave from his job as a truck driver to spend more time with his wife. It was a challenge, but he knew he wanted to be by her side as she battled. He did just that right through to her death in March, just a month before her 60th birthday.
“I became her compassionate caregiver for 18 weeks. I thought being in the army was tough. It was nothing compared to what we went through,” said Joe. “To watch the love of your life just go downhill, it’s heartbreaking.”
Yet, no matter how difficult it was for Bonnie, she was still a shining light for Joe.
“As much pain as she was in, she would warm my heart. I would say good morning, and even with as much pain as she was in, she would always reply, ‘I love you,’ with a tear in her eye,” said Joe.
Joe will be carrying on Bonnie’s memory this year with a fundraising event the couple started in 2017, a charity motorcycle run in support of Ovarian Cancer Canada. Motorcycle owners since 2011, the couple rode together last June, joined by more than 25 riders, and raised $6,000.
“It was a memory I will cherish forever,” he says.
While it will be tough not having his partner riding with him, Joe is back at it this year, with the second annual poker run. Let’s Ride For Her: In Memory Of Bonnie Caruso, taking place Saturday, Sept. 15. The 125-kilometre ride begins and ends at St. Catharines Moose Lodge No. 936 and will include stops at the Moose Lodge in Welland, as well as the Royal Canadian Legion branches in Smithville and Beamsville. Funds raised support Ovarian Cancer Canada, a national charity dedicated to overcoming this disease.
“Ovarian cancer is a silent killer,” said Caruso, noting while an estimated 2,800 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2017, and 1,800 died during the same time frame, it doesn’t receive the type of awareness as other forms of cancer. Yet, Ovarian Cancer Canada says it is the fifth most common cancer for women and the most serious women’s cancer.
Joe says he hopes even more people will join the ride this year, adding “all wheels are welcome” to join the convoy, enjoy the views of Niagara and participate in the poker run.
Registration starts at 8 a.m., with the ride at 10 at the Lodge, 92 Permilla St. Registration is $25 per bike or $10 per passenger. Participants are asked to collect pledges, with those raising $100 or more riding for free. Registration includes a morning coffee, snacks and a barbecue at the conclusion of the ride.
“This is going to be a real tough ride for me,” said Joe, adding he will be accompanied by his wife’s best friend, a 75-year-old who has never rode on a motorcycle.
There has been great support already from local businesses and prize donors. The Moose Lodge, in particular, has been fantastic, he said.
“They were so supportive from the start. The moment they knew she was fighting cancer and we were organizing something last year, they were on board,” said Joe, adding they joined the lodge more than a year ago and his wife was elected as junior regent, second in charge of Women of the Moose.
Anyone wishing for more information on the ride, or wishing to donate in support, can visit ovariancanada.org/Events. You can also email Joe at Bayviews2710@gmail.com.