Give to Live Year in Review
What a year! Epic seems to be the word most commonly used to describe it. We hit the Grand Canyon, the Oregon Coast, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Lake Tahoe, the California Pacific Highway, the Redwood Forest, Vancouver Island, a little gem called Jerome, New Mexico (look this place up! it’s amazing), and so much more. We were welcomed into homes as billets by remarkable people in Port Angeles, Washington, crashed on cots in youth centres and churches, and slept side by side in tiny motel beds with fellow cyclists that began as strangers and finished as lifelong friends. We completed our 3rd year with no major injuries, biked past our 100,000th kilometre, and achieved what once seemed like a far off dream of raising $1 million for the war on cancer.
Unfortunately, it was a trying year on many accounts as well. Our hearts were broken when we learned that one of our riders, Trevor Block, was diagnosed for the second time with cancer despite being only 30 years young. We were further devastated to learn another cyclist, Jason Stoke, would be unable to join us after losing both his parents in the months before the ride; his mom only days before the departure date. 2009 will always be the year we rode for Jason, Trevor, and their families. We continue to pray for them in these difficult times.
As we rode for Jason, Trevor and the loved ones on our jerseys, it was impossible to not be inspired by the stories unfolding around us. Murray MacDonald, just 78 years young and one of our strongest cyclists, showed us the benefits of living an active and healthy lifestyle. He will always be the standard to which I measure myself as I grow older. Yazeed Sobaih, a first time cyclist who had never gone further than 30 kms on a bike, redefined determination by completing a 124 km ride in the heat and wind of the Nevada desert. He did it for his father. Meghan Ferguson, embarking on a journey she wasn’t sure she could do at first, showed us the power of the human mind, body, and soul as she set a new fundraising record of $17,000 and became a remarkable rider. Jamie Teale, Jody Brin, Gord Milligan and countless others showed us sheer courage as they began some days at the bottom of a mountain unsure if they could get to the top, yet positive they wouldn’t quit.
GIVETOLIVE is now more than just raising money for cancer. It is about encouraging people to embark on journeys that challenge what we think are our limits. It is about learning that our abilities are far beyond our wildest imaginations, and that as human beings we are capable of accomplishing anything whether it be riding a bike to 9,000 feet, living on gel packs and caffeine for 14 days, curing cancer, or ending poverty. It is about giving and learning about the wonderful quality of life we can have by simply seeking out those less fortunate and giving to them. Hopefully, it is about changing the world – one person at a time.
None of this could have happened without the help of all of you who have donated your time, money, and energy. YOU have made our lives better by believing in us and contributing to our cause. For that we are eternally grateful. Stay tuned at www.givetolive.ca for an announcement on 2010 and some great videos/photos from 2009. If you are located in Halifax please join us for our Christmas party at the Halifax Alehouse on December 18th, from 5-8pm, more details listed below.
Thank you,
Todd McDonald (President) and Ashley Ward (Volunteer Exe. Director)
