Biking across Canada is no easy feat, as thousands of kilometres stretch across vast tracts of land spanning the various provinces. For avid cyclist and nearly 62-year-old Chris MacDougall, the multi-week trek is a lot more than physical preparation, but mental preparation as well, citing that willpower carries him across the country just as much as his body.
Beginning in Vancouver, MacDougall has travelled over 4,000 kilometres already since July 24 when he passed through North Bay this weekend to share the story of his family and why this ride was so important to him.
“I do it in honour of my boys,” he said, among other reasons. Those other reasons being to raise awareness and funds for cancer research, because his son, Charlie, was diagnosed on July 27, 2001, when he was only 11 years old.
“That day changed the lives of me and my family. It was the day my 11-year-old son, Charlie was diagnosed with Osteogenic Sarcoma, the same bone cancer Terry Fox had,” he said. “Life can change so quickly.”
He said the chemo treatments started—six courses of five weeks each—and he or his wife, Karen were with him day and night for eight months during the stressful and painful time. MacDougall said Charlie was so sick he almost died of infection twice during the time. But after months, Charlie was discharged and cured.
However, MacDougall said, things are never so simple.
“Fifteen months after leaving the hospital, the disease came back,” he said. “And to make a long story short, he went through hell again and he died Christmas-time 2004. He was 14 years old. I want to raise money and awareness so people won’t have to go through what we went through, what we still go through and what we’ll always go through.”
MacDougall said at the time Terry Fox passed away, his chances of survival were 30 percent, but when Charlie contracted the disease his chances were 70 percent, while today the survival rates are 80 percent.
“I want people to realise cancer research is woefully underfunded,” he said, noting that progress does happen in research.
“I’ve done a number of other cycling fundraisers and I know I can cycle,” he explained why cycling was his chosen method of fundraising. “We’re over $125,000 so far, which is great. My goal is to eventually get the funds up to a million dollars and I have a few people approaching larger donors. I don’t think there is any question we’ll reach a quarter million.”
MacDougall, who is making the trek on his bike, said he does have a support vehicle, but hasn't had a moment of doubt since hitting the road last month. He said as early as his third day of crossing the Rockies he knew he would make it to his destination.
"I've had no doubts since then and have been making good time with the weather and roads so far," he said with confidence and determination."
He said for other families who may be going through similar troubles, it helps to talk to others who've experienced the difficulties that cancer brings to a family.
"You can't really understand it until you've been there," he said. "It affects so many other people than just the one suffering from the disease directly. Nobody goes through the exact same thing, but you can still have an idea about what the others are going through."
MacDougall anticipates his trip being done by September 28 in St. John’s, Newfoundland and said concluding this trip with be cathartic for him.
It is noteworthy that Chris is personally covering the cost of this journey. That means 100 percent of the donations will be devoted to cancer research.
To support the Charlie’s Ride for Cancer Research initiative, you can go to the DMRF website as well as visit MacDougal’s blog.
