ATV ride supports survivors of breast cancer
By Vanessa Balintec
With ATV and snowmobile rides, the Kelly Shires Foundation works hard to raise money for breast cancer survivors.
On
May 4, groups of pink-clad men and women drove their ATVs down
Haliburton County trails for their Pink Ribbon Ride and 10th TraX4
Breast Cancer event.
May 4, groups of pink-clad men and women drove their ATVs down
Haliburton County trails for their Pink Ribbon Ride and 10th TraX4
Breast Cancer event.
Suzy Stenoff, co-founder of the Kelly Shires Foundation, says it was a big move to host their 10th anniversary in Haliburton.
“For
nine years we’ve hosted the event in Parry Sound,” said Stenoff. “This
was huge for us to move to Haliburton for our 10th anniversary, and it
was hard because Parry Sound was a place Tracey chose.”
nine years we’ve hosted the event in Parry Sound,” said Stenoff. “This
was huge for us to move to Haliburton for our 10th anniversary, and it
was hard because Parry Sound was a place Tracey chose.”
Tracey
Guthrie, co-founder of the TraX4 event, passed away shortly after their
seventh event and a 19-year battle with breast cancer. But despite the
difficulty, Stenoff said the move to Haliburton has been great.
Guthrie, co-founder of the TraX4 event, passed away shortly after their
seventh event and a 19-year battle with breast cancer. But despite the
difficulty, Stenoff said the move to Haliburton has been great.
“We
are very happy being here in Haliburton,” said Stenoff. “Pinestone
Resort has been amazing, local ATV groups and local companies have been
so supportive all the way around.”
are very happy being here in Haliburton,” said Stenoff. “Pinestone
Resort has been amazing, local ATV groups and local companies have been
so supportive all the way around.”
The
event went forward with Tracey in mind as volunteers rode to raise
money to help financially support breast cancer survivors. Proceeds will
go toward men and women breast cancer survivors across Canada, to help
with things that health insurance programs do not cover. Wigs and
prosthetics, rent, food, and transportation costs are things Lindsay
Draper, volunteer organizer of the event, says are some of the many
hidden costs breast cancer survivors face.
event went forward with Tracey in mind as volunteers rode to raise
money to help financially support breast cancer survivors. Proceeds will
go toward men and women breast cancer survivors across Canada, to help
with things that health insurance programs do not cover. Wigs and
prosthetics, rent, food, and transportation costs are things Lindsay
Draper, volunteer organizer of the event, says are some of the many
hidden costs breast cancer survivors face.
“There
are so many hidden costs, it’s unbelievable,” said Draper. “We are the
only charity of our kind in Canada that financially supports men and
women who are going through breast cancer. It’s to give those who are
fighting some dignity.”
are so many hidden costs, it’s unbelievable,” said Draper. “We are the
only charity of our kind in Canada that financially supports men and
women who are going through breast cancer. It’s to give those who are
fighting some dignity.”
Todd
Watling, volunteer trail co-ordinator, says the event was a great
opportunity for men to participate. “Usually when it comes to breast
cancer, men aren’t so involved. Whereas in this one, it’s the opposite –
everybody’s involved.”
Watling, volunteer trail co-ordinator, says the event was a great
opportunity for men to participate. “Usually when it comes to breast
cancer, men aren’t so involved. Whereas in this one, it’s the opposite –
everybody’s involved.”
The
TraX4 Breast Cancer ATV ride raised $42,000 with 40 participants and 29
bikes. The organization hopes to come back to Haliburton in the future.
TraX4 Breast Cancer ATV ride raised $42,000 with 40 participants and 29
bikes. The organization hopes to come back to Haliburton in the future.
