THUNDER BAY – After starting a cross-Canada bike ride in aid of cancer research just over three weeks ago, a Truro, N.S. businessman has already raised $111,500 and travelled over 3000 kilometres.
Chris MacDougall, who is chair of the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, is inspired to generate the funds to help others and at the same time cherish the memory of his son, Charlie.
He says life for his family changed forever on July 27, 2001 when his 11-year-old son Charlie was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma, the same bone cancer Terry Fox had. After years of painful treatments, a brief reprieve when the cancer was in remission, and then its return, Charlie died at home with his family on Dec. 28, 2004.
“I am cycling across Canada because I want people to know that cancer research makes a difference,” says MacDougall. “Lots of kids avoid death because of research. I wish this could have been the case for our Charlie.”
The funds raised will be used to support the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute (BHCRI) through the Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation (DMRF). DMRF was created more than 35 years ago to fund medical research excellence at Dalhousie Medical School. The Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute was created in 2009 to foster a more collaborative, productive and capacity-building cancer research effort in Atlantic Canada.
MacDougall says it was Charlie’s dream to become a biochemist and find a cure for cancer, and the bike ride to raise funds for research is his way of making his son’s dream a reality.
MacDougall, who hopes to complete his trip Sept. 28 in St. John’s, NL, is the owner and operator of Tim Horton’s Restaurants in Elmsdale, and Enfield,N.S.
He says he is completely overwhelmed by the warm reception and outpouring of support he is receiving on his ride.
To support the Charlie’s Ride for Cancer Research initiative, go to the DMRF website at:
https://dmrf.ca/about/our-stories/charlies-ride-for-cancer-research/
Northwestern Ontario Schedule
| August 19 | Upsala to Kakabeka Falls |
| August 20 | Kakabeka Falls to Nipigon |
| August 21 | Nipigon to Jellicoe |
| August 22 | REST |
| August 23 | Jellicoe – Longlac |
| August 24 | Longlac to Hearst |
| August 25 | Hearst to Kapuskasing |
| August 26 | Kapuskasing to Cochrane |
