Vroom vroom! Manitoba Motorcycle Ride for Dad raises $300K for prostate cancer research - Action News
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Manitoba

Vroom vroom! Manitoba Motorcycle Ride for Dad raises $300K for prostate cancer research

The Manitoba Motorcycle Ride for Dad returned as a single-day group ride on Saturday for the first time since the pandemic began, and once again raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for prostate cancer research.

Annual fundraiser has raised $3.1M over 14 years

Manitoba Motorcycle Ride for Dad raises $300K for prostate cancer research

2 years ago
Duration 1:57
The Manitoba Motorcycle Ride for Dad returned as a single-day group ride for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, with over 1,000 motorcyclists participating, organizers said.

Engines revved in southern Manitoba on Saturday in support of prostate cancer research and awareness.

The Manitoba Motorcycle Ride for Dad returned as a single-day group ride for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, with over 1,000motorcyclists participating, organizers said.

The riders gathered at Polo Park shopping centre in Winnipeg on Saturday morningbefore hitting the road to Selkirk, Gimliand then back to Winnipeg.

Organizers say almost $300,000was raised this year. Since the ride was founded 14 years ago, riders have raised more than $3.1 million for the cause.

Spokesperson Ed Johner says the day exceeded his expectations.

"I've had such a big smile on my face for the last threedays. It's unbelievable. I'm so happy to see people that I haven't been able to see for the last couple of years and we've come back with a vengeance," he said.

Ed Johner is the spokesperson for the Manitoba Motorcycle Ride for Dad. Participants raised about $300,000 for prostate cancer research this year. (Walther Bernal/CBC)

The sheer amount of money raised by the participants for prostate cancer research means a lot to Johner, whowas diagnosed with prostate and kidney cancer in 2007.

"Because of early detection, both were treated successfully. Ninety per cent of all prostate cancer cases that are detected early are treated successfully, so I'm very fortunate in that respect," he said.

Clarence O'Brienhelped marshal the ride. He also took part in the ride for a personal reason.

"I'm also a prostate cancer survivor. I had my surgery in 2017," he said."So this ride isreal for me."

More than 1,000 people took part in the Manitoba Motorcycle Ride for Dad on Saturday. (Walther Bernal/CBC)

Maurice Sabourin, the president of the Winnipeg Police Associationand the co-chair of the Ride for Dad, said the main message of the ride is for people to get their prostates checked.

"There's a lot of men that are dying from prostate cancer that don't even know that they have it, or ... it hasn't been detected early enough," he said.

"Sothat's our mission, is get people to be aware of prostate cancer. Get checked."

Clarence O'Brien, a prostate cancer survivor, said the Manitoba Motorcycle Ride for Dad hits close to home. (Walther Bernal/CBC)

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