Ride for Dad takes fundraising for prostate cancer research to the streets

For the 17th time, hundreds of bikers hit the road in St. John's Saturday notfor a joy ridebut to raise money forprostate cancer research as part of the Avalon Motorcycle Ride for Dad.

The event is organized by the Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation, which held its first ride overall in 2000, with the Avalon Peninsula following suit seven years later.

Charlene Richmond is local co-chair of theevent, and says her motivation for getting involved with the cause was her father Earl, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009.

"Ididn't know what prostate cancer was. And after he was diagnosed, I remember one day, just coming down Kenmount Road here and seeing a billboard and it was Ride for Dad," said Richmond.

"I looked it up to find out what it was. And here we are, about 15 years later."

Earl Richmond is one in eight Canadian men who are diagnosed with the type of cancer in their lifetime, according to the Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation.

Over the last 17 years,the provincial chapter has raised over $2 million forresearch inthe province, which Richmond hopes will eventually lead to finding a cure.

Over 200 bikes brought traffic to a standstill for this prostate cancer fundraiser

3 months ago

Duration 2:25

The annual Avalon Ride for Dad raised money to support the search for a prostate cancer cure and over the past 17 years, an impressive sum has been donated.

Just like Richmond, local event co-chair Jim Giles had a personal reason to volunteer with Ride for Dad.

"Ibasically just had some friends who have prostate cancer and they motivated me to get involved and help get awareness," he said.

"[I] knew zero aboutprostate cancer.Didn't even know what it was, hardly. And I learned so much. And with friends and going to conferences and all that kind of stuff, it's been amazing."

Over the past few years, he said, awareness of the illnessin the provincehas been growing, to which their yearly ride has contributed.

That can also be seen when looking at the number of visitors and ride participants, said Richmond. And while the bikers are still mostly male, more women and children are getting involved, as well.

"When we watchthe bikes leave,there's barely a dry eye because it's like, 'Look at what we've done, look at what we have accomplished and look at the word that we have gotten out there,'" she said.

"It just means so much to us overall as an organization. And for me, on a personal level, going back to my dad knowing every year, I always say, 'Happy Father's Day,Dad.This is for you.'"

Watch the video above to get a glimpse of the 2024 Ride for Dad in the province.

Download ourfree CBC News appto sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador.Click here to visit our landing page.