It's not about the money ...

The Nipissing Chapter of Ride For Dad had cause to celebrate the holiday season early this year as total from this year's event was revealed during a media event Friday at North Bay Police headquarters.

On hand for the $28,840 cheque presentation were ride participants Deputy Mayor Peter Chirico and MP Anthony Rota .

Officials say the Ride For Dad event this year had a substantial increased participation over the 2008 inaugural ride ($18,000 raised) and helped make Ride for Dad the largest motorcycle event in Canada.

MP Anthony Rota said bringing awareness to any kind of cancer is important but say in this case prostate cancer is is particularly important because men don't talk about it.

"You kind of don't want to talk about becasue it is a part of the plumbing you just don't want exposed," Rota notes.

"But you know what if there's a problem you've got to fix it. So this (Ride for Dad) about helping out, helping get money for research and getting a cure."

He also says awareness is key for men becasue they need to understand that by ingnoring health problems won't make them go away in fact it has an oposit effect making a situation worse.

"It is porbably one of the biggest messages we have to get out ... don't be embarassed, don't be ashamed, things happen, get em fixed."

Deputy Mayor Chirico echoed Rota on the awareness message.

"It is not something to be hidden away as Anthony said, it is something for our community to be aware of becasue awareness equals prevention."

Ride co-chair Chopper Cameron couldn't agree more stating that the event isn't about the money it's about the awareness.

"The profile is higher now," he says noting the Lakers hockey game in support of the cause.

"But they still figure there are about 800,000 men across Canada that don't know they have it or that they are likely to get it so it's one of those things that we're just trying to encourage everybody to get out there. Because early diagnosis is a hundred percent chance of survival."

Deputy Police Chief Al Williams also acknowledged the importance of the Ride for Dad event by pledging the North Bay Police Service's continued support of the event.

"Congratulations on raising good funds for on an obviously worthy cause and hopefully with this kind of contribution we can build on that and find a cure for the cause."

Funds raised from the event are used to promote research and awareness for prostate cancer.