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Toronto to Niagara ride raises funds for cancer research

by Falguni Debnath

The Wards of Lakefield are used to travelling. On any given day, you will find either Ron or Joan in Kenya, Ethiopia or India!

Their children are equally adventurous and have been travelling all over the world since they were toddlers.

Their eldest son’s, Timothy Ward’s latest journey however, is a very local one, but one which will have far-reaching impact.

He is participating in the Ride to Conquer Cancer, a cycling journey of 200 km from Toronto to Niagara Falls to raise money for the Princess Margaret Hospital.

Lakefield has already witnessed the Pedal for Hope cycling event.

If fundraisers for cancer seem to be ubiquitous, that is only an indication of the prevalence of this disease.

On the basis of current mortality rates, one out of every four Canadians will die from cancer. However, this rate, shocking as it is, is still one that is declining. Mortality rates are down for males of all ages and for females under 70. Declines are most rapid in children and adolescents.

Most of us know of someone – a relative, a friend – who has cancer. Timothy is no exception; he has lost a grandfather, a grandmother, and an aunt to the disease.

As a new father, (to Jesse Ward, aged one and a half) beating this disease has become more important than ever.

Timothy has cycled through Europe, Indonesia and Australia, and has run at least 15 marathons. During the 2004 Toronto Marathon, he won the Master’s category, running 42 km in 2 hours and 51 minutes.

He sees each race as a personal odyssey. On the Ride to Conquer Cancer, he will be part of a bigger team called the Legal Wheelers (a team of lawyers and non-lawyers). It may well be said that lawyers always spin in circles, but this team has a purpose!

Funds raised by Timothy and hundreds of other riders will assist in research, teaching and compassionate care at the Princess Margaret Hospital, one of the top five cancer research hospitals in the world.

A quote from Timothy’s favourite novel, Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness states: “It is impossible to convey the life-sensation of any given epoch of one’s existence – that which makes its truth, its meaning – its subtle and penetrating essence. It is impossible. We live, as we dream – alone.”

That may be, but the search to find that essence and to connect with all who are on that same journey is what makes life memorable.

If you want to get involved, check the website www.conquercancer.ca. Click the “Donate” link on the left hand side and enter the name Tim Ward in the spaces provided to visit Timothy’s personal page.

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