Lakeshore Advance, 2013-05-29, Page 1010 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, May 29, 2013
A journey to conquer
Charlene Love
Special to Lakeshore Advance
There are 250 km of pavement
ahead of me as I plan to pedal
down a long and winding road,
with a destination that is far more
than just a place. Not only am 1
taking on an ambitious bicycle tour
from Vancouver to Seattle, but 1 ant
taking on a much bigger task as
well: I am riding to conquer
cancer.
This may seem like a very bold
statement coining from one single
young woman, but I an not alone
in this fight! Let me go back to the
beginning and explain how this all
came about.
My name is Charlene ("Charlie")
Love, and I was born and raised
just outside of Grand Bend. 1
attended Grand Bend Public
School as a child, then moved onto
South Huron District High School.
My parents are John and Joan Love.
Once graduated from high school,
I decided to attend the University
of Victoria in British Columbia,
where I just recently graduated.
Ready for the journey Is (1-R) Stacey
Olynyk, JiII Moreau, Mike Gonzalez,
and Charlene Love.
Growing up, 1 was never the athletic
competitive type. The one sport 1
was involved in as a child was
t -ball, but as my mom recalls, l was
more interested in picking flowers
in the outfield than 1 was in trying
to catch the ball. Needless to say, 1
have never been MVP on any
athletic team. Because of this lack
of athleticism, the thought never
crossed my mind that it would be
possible for me to endure long
distance bicycle riding. However,
within the past few years events
have unfolded that made this cause
important enough to say YES to
this incredible ride.
In 201 1, my good friend Stacey
and her twin sister Karen were
registered for the Ride to Conquer
Cancer, and were very eager to hop
on their hikes during training.
However, they had to withdraw
from the ride in order to return
home to Saskatchewan when their
father died suddenly. While in
Saskatchewan, Stacey went to the
doctor after experiencing strange
symptoms. It was then that she was
diagnosed with Hodgkin
Lymphoma.
It was a long battle both
physically and emotionally, but she
finished her battle cancer free.
however, to the family's dismay,
Stacey's twin sister Karen was also
diagnosed with Hodgkin
Lymphoma a year later. 'lie battle
was to be fought yet again, but the
twins stayed strong. Today Karen
has completed all of her treatments,
and hopes to he at the finish line
when
Stacey, myself, and the rest of
our small -but -mighty team arrive
in Seattle! Our team carne together
for the twins in their fight, but we
all have many other personal
reasons to be riding as well.
Our teitlo consists of 5
individuals, all of who share the
common connection of working
together at '1'he Old Spaghetti
Factory here in Victoria. Since our
team was created on the basis of
courage and perseverance rather
than athleticism, we have needed
lots of training in order to prepare
ourselves for this ride.
We have been training for several
months now, and meet up as much
as we con in order to do our
favourite routes around Vancouver
15100(1. Since the Ride to Conquer
Cancer will take two days (at about
1'2 5 kln each day) we've been
slowly increasing our ride distances
each month. Although the training
can be strenuous, it will be worth it
when we cross the finish line on
lune lith!
The strength 1 see in these
courageous twins, as well as
everyone who has been affected by
cancer, is my inspiration. It is the
reason why 1've decided to ride.
'there were endless excuses for me
to say 'Ino' to this ride, but at the
end of the day the reasons for
saying 'yes' just seemed so 1111W:
more important.
If you would like to donate
towards our ride, please check out
our team page at www.
teanl5pagh(t1110(1ory.conl and
follow the "donate" link to support
our riders.
'lhis page also contains updates
and information on our training, as
well as lurks to all of our personal
stories. Your support, both
monetary and moral, is very much
appreciated! All donations benefit
the R(: cancer foundation in both
research and improving the entire
treatment from diagnosis to
remission.
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