About
Us
In 2001 an enthusiastic
team of women and men came together to create the annual ride. The
goal of the ride is to make a difference in our community today by
bring Manitoba motorcyclists together to raise funds. As we discussed
the idea of raising money for breast cancer, we discovered that it
had touched many of our lives. We heard many stories of grandmothers,
mothers, sisters, wives and brothers. We realized breast cancer was
closer than we thought.
It is amazing
how one small idea could blossom into an event that enables us to
make such an impact on the health of our province. In nine years the
Manitoba motorcycling community has raised over $330,000 to fight
breast cancer in Manitoba. The money was raised mainly in 5, 10 and
20-dollar donations, proving that every dollar really does add up.
A huge thank
you goes out to all the motorcycle enthusiasts who participate and
support this worthy cause. Without you we would not have done it!
Your efforts have
made a difference in our province by helping purchase the third mobile
mammography screening unit and a cargo
van to transport the units across the province. The mobile
units enable more women in rural and remote areas of our province
to be screened for breast cancer every year. Your efforts also made
a direct impact on patients with breast cancer and their families
by supporting the Breast Cancer Centre of Hope
(a resource centre), The Manitoba Screening
Program, the wig program at CancerCare Manitoba and
patient education shower cards that promote early detection.
We have also supported upgrades to the mobile mammography units. In
2008 we were able to purchase a ChemiDoc XRS
Molecular Imaging System. It is a supersensitive camera that
can view molecules within cells and it is the most advanced imaging
system available. It is used to analyze DNA, RNA and protein from
breast cancer tumors. “It is the way we visualize the results of our
research”. Said Dr. Leigh Murphy, head researcher at CancerCare Manitoba.
The imaging system is very essential at CancerCare Manitoba is used
everyday.
With the proceeds
from the 2009 ride we were able to support clinical trials at CancerCare
Manitoba. A Clinical trial is research involving people.
The knowledge
gained at a clinical trial will benefit Manitobans by: enhancing patient
care; provide early access to new cancer therapies and make new drugs
available that are not yet commercially available, or make available
some newer commercially available drugs whose cost is not yet covered.
People take part
in clinical trials to feel better or live longer, knowing that they
are also helping other people now and in the future. A trial allows
them to gain access to the newest types of treatment and to be the
first to benefit from a new treatment while giving clinicians further
knowledge and experience from clinical trials.
With the proceeds
from the 2010 ride we were able to buy a new cargo van to transport
the mobile mammography units across the province. This program enables
more women access to breast cancer screening.
We are proud to
say all our funds raised stay right here in Manitoba at CancerCare
Manitoba Foundation. We are able to pick the projects we fund.
The Breast Cancer
Pledge Ride committee is made up of volunteers.
Breast
Cancer Pledge Ride Committee 2011
