Yearly I get to reunite with my cycling family to help make a difference in the lives of families. Families that are facing circumstances they never thought they would have to. Cancer doesn't discriminate and the number of childhood diagnosis's are rising yearly. These families face great challenges as they navigate the world of information, treatments, finances, health, and recovery for a child battling cancer. The Kids With Cancer Society is a light in the darkness for these families. The Society provides fifty programs and services to families to help and support them. After five years of meeting families through the Tour I have found one common thread that keeps me coming back. The Kids With Cancer Society becomes a member of these families and work tirelessly to help them on their journey.
The Tour riders are a family that comes together every year to bring hope to the families who need it. We ride our bikes to raise money for the society. What we receive in return is far greater than words can describe. Being able to provide hope through every peddle stroke makes the distance, elements, hills, sore butt, and mental challenges worth every minute on the bike. Everyday of the Tour brings the riding family a little closer together. We grow in our joy through time together on and off the bike, encouraging each other, and talking about our why for being on the Tour. There are tears shed during the evening stories, some that include stories of children who have passed. Our Angel MacKenzie was with us this whole Tour. The journey is about weaving together our lives to make a difference in the lives of families we may or may not meet.
The Tour family doesn't consist of only cyclists. There are Kids With Cancer Staff on the Tour and the Support crew are beyond amazing. As cyclists our job is really easy, we eat, sleep, cycle, and repeat. The Staff and Support crew keep everything moving, safe, and functioning at a high level. There are so many great people who give up a week to come out and make this such a success. For the entire week I feel incredibly blessed. There were amazing additions to the Tour this year. Great new cyclists and support staff. It was inspiring to meet younger cyclists who are doing amazing things in the world. Another amazing young woman who stepped out of her comfort zone to cycle the Tour and give back to the Society. On the support side an amazing photographer and cyclist who went above and beyond for the Tour. I fell in love with all of them because of their amazing energy, passion, joy, and commitment. The bond a group of people can make over one week when they are changing the shape of energy is incredible.
And once again we were able to meet and amazing family who came and spoke to us about what the Kids With Cancer Society has meant to them. These nights are always special, emotional, and beyond rewarding. Seeing the way the Society works in these people's lives simply makes the 850 kilometers of cycling worthwhile. I have met kids who have fought for their lives and they are happier than you could imagine. They are grateful and excited for the lives they have ahead of them. These are the leaders of the future, the kind of kids I want to meet. It's a reality check every year, a reset for myself about being grateful. That is why I ride this Tour every year. It makes a difference, it creates hope. The world needs more hope.
Together the cyclists raised $191,000 for the Kids With Cancer Society this year.
Thanks to all of my family, friends, and businesses that donated to me this year. I'm grateful you all helped to make a difference.
Blessings
Daniel
