Hometown: Calgary
Occupation: Senior Interior Designer - Albi Homes
Warrior: Shea Gifford
Motivation: Last year my husband Robert participated in this amazing event, riding with a peloton of cyclists from Calgary to San Jose. This event certainly has an infectious personality and being so close to last year’s activities and its people, I decided to join my husband and ride in support of the beneficiary of our efforts, Wellspring.
Anyone that knows me well will know that I’m more comfortable shopping for shoes with stiletto heals than looking for cycling shoes with clipless systems, so this is certainly outside of my comfort zone. I not only have to train extra hard to be prepared physically for such an event that requires its athletes to ride over 120km every day for 9 days, but I have to learn how to ride a bike like a cyclist, which will be a big challenge considering I haven’t been on a bike for over 20 years! All this seems to pale in comparison to what people who suffer the pain and stress associated with cancer.
Wellspring does incredible work for those who are fighting or surviving cancer and their work inspires all associated with the Cancervive family, but when cancer affects personal friends or family, participation in this event becomes much more personal. This is so true for both Rob and I as our friend Shea Gifford is in her own personal battle against this dreadful disease. Shea and her husband Fred, who is also riding in this year’s event, is in her second fight with cancer. Her infectious personality, unwavering positive “can do” attitude towards life will fuel me through the thousands of kms of preparation for this year’s event. I will be thinking of her with every turn of my crank....
Your moral and financial support is greatly appreciated by me and more importantly the cancer survivors that require the services offered by Wellspring.
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