NKCR Sept 16 2017 – Echo Bay to Spanish – #BeccaToldMeTo

Our ride today is dedicated to Grant an extremely focused, intelligent, athletic and caring 15 year old boy. In February 2011 his parents received a call to go to the children’s hospital immediately as blood tests showed he had leukemia. He responded well to treatment and his attitude during the whole thing was inspirational. He was in remission within 3 weeks of treatment and was able to attend his grade 9 grad. Throughout the treatment the isolation was tough due to his weakened immune system, but he managed to stay in touch with friends through Skype and texts. After returning home from camp kindle he began experiencing aches and pains again and on August 15th was diagnosed with AML, which required him to be hospitalized for long periods of time due to the treatment. He developed breathing problems and was forced into the ICU for two weeks. New bumps were starting to form on his skin and he was diagnosed with a third cancer, skin cancer. On September 16, 2011 surrounded by family Grant passed away

Today we rode from Echo Bay to Spanish, approximately 147 km of a planned 162. We had a shuttle the last few kilometeres due to some construction. It was an awesome day to be on a bike, sunny and warm, without too much wind. The rolling hills of Northern Ontario gave us some great opportunities to climb and descend, without too much work, and we had some great rest stops with awesome views of upper Lake Huron and the surrounding areas.

Today is also Becca Schofiield Day. See the great piece on CBC News New Brunswick to learn more. Becca is an 18 year old girl with terminal brain cancer. She created the #BeccaToldMeTo campaign, which is about paying it forward with random acts of kindness, in order to make the world a little better place to live. Her campaign has gone viral, with international attention, including places like . Becca has a bucket list and it is simple:

“So, since so many people want to help with my bucket list, dad and I have masterminded a plan that will allow anyone to help with my bucket list. No matter how young or old, rich or poor, no matter where in the world you are you can participate. I want to create a mass of acts of kindness! I want to get a worldwide trend on Twitter of #BeccaToldMeTo its pretty simple.

No matter who you are, if you see this message, please do an act of kindness for someone else. It can be as big or small as you’d like. Donate to charity, volunteer your time, or even just do the dishes without your parents asking. Shovel someone’s walkway or visit someone you know will be alone this holiday season. Get creative!

Terry Fox wanted to impact the world, to help make it a better place, and I do too! Do something to make someone smile, and then tweet what you did under the hashtag #BeccaToldMeTo so tell your friends, post it on imgur and Reddit, anything you can do to spread the word. I’m announcing it tonight so that it will begin on the last day of my radiation. So please, rally up and help make my wish to get this trending worldwide come true.”

One of the reasons I’m riding across canada is because #BeccaToldMeTo:

One of the ways we were able to pay it forward today was when we met Abby, a grade 10 student at our lunch stop in Blind River. Abby was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at age 4, which was treated and in remission. In 2015, Abby was diagnosed with cancer again, this time a brain tumor. She is presently underoing treatment and is doing well. We presented Abby with one of our signed National Kids Cancer Ride Jerseys, as a symbol of her courage, and we all wish her the best.

It was also a great day to continue building relationships with my wheel family. Our team, “Bacon a Difference” has come together nicely and we had a great day on the road, helping each other and communicating well. We found though that it’s just hard to get a good selfie these days.

Tomorrow we ride from Barrie to Sick Kids in Toronto. It will be an opportunity to reconnect with my family after two weeks away, if only for a few minutes in Barrie (with my wife Janet and son Galen), and in Toronto (with my daughter Katerina). It will also be another chance to ride with former NKCR riders, including my dear friend Ulana, for whom I paint my fingernail blue and carry a blue ribbon in rememberance of her daugher Taissa.

Until tomorow.