Motorcyclists gather again to raise funds for fight against prostate cancer
Motorcyclists supported the fight against prostate cancer at the 2022 Swift Current Motorcycle Ride for Dad (SCMRFD), June 11.
It was attended by around 148 riders and the event raised about $27,000. Ride Co-chair Curt Purves said they were pleased with the outcome.
“We didn’t know what to expect coming off two years of COVID,” he noted. “I know people were anxious to get back together and be around each other. So we were hoping for whatever we got. Every little bit helps. It doesn’t matter what it is.”
The day-long event started at the Living Sky Casino with a breakfast and a parade through city streets. Riders then participated in a poker rally through southwest Saskatchewan.
“We all went to Gull Lake and Shaunavon and then Eastend for lunch,” he said. “Then one route carried on past Cypress Hills Park to Maple Creek and back to Swift Current. The other one went back to Shaunavon down to Climax, Bracken, Orkney, Val Marie, Cadillac and back.”
This was the first time since 2019 that SCMRFD was able to host a group ride with the regular format. It was not possible to host a full event during the past two years due to COVID-19 public health requirements. Instead, an alternative format known as Ride Along Together (RAT) was used in 2020 and 2021 that encouraged riders to get out and ride alone or in small groups.
“They were both called RAT rides,” he explained. “Everybody did their own thing and collected pledges along the way, and then we submitted that all in. So it was very different for the last two years, and getting back to normal this year was great.”
SCMRFD made a cheque presentation of $15,000 to the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine for prostate cancer research at this year’s breakfast. Purves noted the size of this donation will depend on the amount of funds raised through Ride for Dad events.
“It all depends on what kind of previous year you have,” he said. “The last two years being COVID we didn’t raise as much as we wanted to give back. So that’s a combination between Swift Current and Saskatoon Ride for Dad. We each pitched in $15,000 and donated it.”
SCMRFD has raised over $517,000 since its establishment in 2013. The funds have been used to support cancer research and for public awareness campaigns about the disease and to highlight the importance of early detection.
The SCMRFD will continue to collect donations to support the fight agains prostate cancer. He indicated there is no deadline for making a donation.
“Whenever you want to make it and as much as you want to make, we’re good with that,” he said.
Donations can be made online by going to the website: www.ridefordad.ca/chapter/swift-current