Save BC MEN – Fight Prostate Cancer
WESTCOAST Motorcycle Ride To Live, established in 2010 by Executive Directors, Peter & Colleen GROENLAND and a dedicated Executive Committee Team. The Ride to Live goal is to raise funds to support prostate cancer research, education and support in British Columbia while at the same time, organize a fantastic motorcycle poker run and Classic Vehicle Show & Shine. The Ride to Live Executive Team are all non-paid volunteers. Peter & Colleen have had personal experience dealing with prostate cancer. Colleen’s father, Tommy JOHNSTON was diagnosed with the high probability of prostate cancer in late 2007 & due to age, health and life quality opted for no treatment, he passed away on June 18th 2010. Peter was diagnosed in 2008, opted for surgery and is now a prostate cancer survivor with much knowledge gained. There are also other survivors on the executive team with the knowledge and personal experience of what it takes to be a survivor. Peter is a caring man with a passion for motorcycles. He is a Sergeant of the VPD Traffic Section and 30 year Vancouver Police Department member. Peter, born Edmonton, was a 1978 RCMP graduate, former Blue Knights President and current IPA Region 9 BC President, Vancouver Police Historical Society & Pistol Club member and was a Standard Bearer and Secretary with the Vancouver Police Pipe Band. His wife Colleen, born Vancouver, a retired Fraud Investigator with 30 years of service with the Provincial Government dedicates volunteer time to help Save BC MEN & Fight Prostate Cancer. The statistics on prostate cancer in Canada are shocking and the Vancouver / Chilliwack Team of the WESTCOAST Motorcycle Ride to Live want to raise awareness about prostate cancer prevention and host an event to raise funds for research, education & support. It’s estimated over 1 million Canadian Men have prostate cancer, only 20% have been diagnosed and 80% of men don’t know they have this cancer yet. Approximately 1 in 6 men will be affected by prostate cancer in their lifetime making prostate cancer the second leading cause of cancer death in Canadian Men … approximately 90% of men could be saved if this cancer is detected early enough. In 2008 our Executive Team organized a prostate cancer ride raising $101,300 and again in 2009 successfully raised $130,518.
2010 The Vancouver Ride to Live raised $160,000. The ride started at Trev Deeley Motorcycles on Sunday May 30th with a motorcycle awareness parade led by the Vancouver Police Motorcycle Drill Team to Port Moody. From Port Moody the ride was a self-guided tour to Harrison for lunch, Cloverdale poker stop and ended at the Ride Celebration at Honda Canada in Richmond. The Vancouver Island & Gulf Islands 2010 ride was held on Sunday June 6th, view their website for information.
2011 In 2011 the total funds raised was $140,000. Vancouver & Chilliwack rides May 29th, Chilliwack ride was a new addition to make it easier for participants living quite a distance to Vancouver to join the Ride to Live fundraising ride event. The ride routes were redesigned to be 150 km or less, for participants to enjoy the day and get back home at a reasonable time. Vancouver ride started at Trev Deeley Motorcycles, 2nd stop Concord Pacific Vancouver, 3rd stop Coquitlam Heritage Park, 4th stop Langley Recreation Centre & 5th stop Celebration site Fraser Downs Racetrack & Casino. Chilliwack Ride 1st stop Walmart Chilliwack, 2nd stop University of the Fraser Valley, 3rd stop Bradner Community Hall, 4th stop Langley Recreation Centre & 5th stop at Fraser Downs.
2012 In 2012 the total funds raised was $150,000. Vancouver ride started at Trev Deeley Motorcycles, 2nd stop at Hastings & Kensington in Burnaby, 3rd stop Coquitlam Town Centre, 4th stop Langley Recreation Centre & 5th stop Celebration site Fraser Downs Racetrack & Casino. Chilliwack Ride 1st stop Walmart Chilliwack, 2nd stop Unity Christian School Chilliwack, 3rd stop Sasquatch Inn Harrison, 4th stop Langley Recreation Centre & 5th stop at Fraser Downs. Ride Day morning at Fraser Downs started our the 1st Annual Classic Car & Motorcycle Show & Shine and a great showing of fantastic antique vehicles. Great treat to have live music from the Brent Lee Band! The Show & Shine brought out a family participation to this worthy cause and the Cloverdale Lions Club provided a wonderful pancake breakfast for a minimum donation.
2013 In 2013 the total funds raised were $150,000. Vancouver Ride from Trev Deeley Motorcycles to West Coast Express lot Port Moody to Canadian Tire Mission, to Fort Langley Fire Hall then to RTL Celebration at Fraser Downs Cloverdale. Chilliwack Ride from Chances Chilliwack to Chilliwack Fire Hall to Mission, to Fort Langley, to Fraser Downs. A great attendance and amount raised for there being some wet locations. Great showing of Classic Vehicles! Brent Lee music great as always! Great showing of many supporters & sponsors from the booths! Bro Jake Edwards was presented a Gold VPD Badge “chocolate” from VPD Constable Chief Jim Chu, both bringing humour to the crowd! Thanks to the many volunteers that made this great event happen!
