‘Livestrong’ barbecue in the works

The adrenaline that begins to pump through my veins once the pedals start going at a good clip is an experience few words qualify to describe.
It’s a rush, a feeling of invincibility, a feeling of pure alertness, and perhaps the feeling that there’s no obstacle big enough to take you off of your determined path.
This is how I feel on the good rides; the ones that take you across the Canada/U.S. border—where there isn’t a real destination in sight.
The cyclical movements of the push and pull of your feet as they hit the pedals is something that becomes innate.
I am training for the LIVESTRONG challenge. On Oct. 26-27, I will be cycling 60 miles in Austin, Tex., hometown of seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.
In efforts to try and reach my goal of raising $2,500 to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation, I am holding a fundraising barbecue on Saturday, July 19 at 6 p.m. at Kim and Patti Roy’s residence here in town (1205 Colonization Rd. W.)
They’ve graciously allowed me their beautiful back yard to host the event. A tremendous thank-you goes out to the Roys and sponsors, including Kim and Pat Cornell (Cornell Farms), Christine Stoessinger (antiques vendor at the Clover Valley Farmers’ Market), Paul Noonan (La Place Rendez-Vous), Connie Cuthbertson (Northwoods Gallery & Gifts), Dr. Bruce Lidkea (The Optometry Clinic), Russ Ling (Taggs Source for Sports) Pharmasave, the Fort Frances Times, and Safeway.
I appreciate the help of so many people for helping me with this barbecue, as well as the encouragement I’ve received from talking to many of you.
I know you’ve probably seen me biking on King’s Highway and by Pither’s Point, and I really appreciate the courtesy many of you have extended to me by sharing the road (even through all of the construction).
I am inviting anyone who is interested in attending this fundraising event. There will be sausages, burgers, drinks, and silent auction items you can bid on. Some of the items include a beautiful acoustic guitar, an Adidas soccer ball, a $25 gift certificate to La Place Rendez-Vous, gift baskets, antiques, luxury lotions, and more.
•$10 provides information packets to 16 cancer survivors to offer support, inspiration, and hope;
•$50 provides 35 people cancer survivorship information, worksheets to organize their fight against cancer, and support;
•$155 provides a cancer survivor one-on-one direct support through the LIVESTRONG Survivor Care program; and
•$250 provides LIVESTRONG Survivorship Notebooks to 27 cancer survivors.
Any amount you are able to donate is greatly appreciated. Your support towards me alone is enough to ensure I will continue to stay focused and dedicated to training and raising money.
My grandpa succumbed to lung cancer when he was quite young. I remember him only through black-and-white photographs, and my grandma died of an aneurysm after also suffering from cancer.
One of my good friends lost her father to cancer when I was in Grade 11. I remember at the time that I had no idea how to console her and I felt so lost as to what to do.
I recently interviewed Nelson Rogoza, recipient of the “Senior of the Year” Award for Alberton. Out of the many interviews I’ve done, I believe he will be one I will never forget.
At 67 years old, Mr. Rogoza has accomplished much more than the average senior in regards to his contributions to the community. But as inspiring as it was to listen to him humbly accept this award, I was truly taken aback by the strength he exuded in regards to his terminal diagnosis of cancer.
At one point, doctors told Mr. Rogoza he had two weeks to live. “That was over two-and-a-half years ago,” he told me with a glint in his eye.
Interviewing this man who has contributed so much to not only the community he’s lived in, but surrounding areas, opened my eyes to the fragility of life and how cancer truly has touched so many people.
We all have the ability to fight, but cancer is one of those things that can knock the wind out of your sails. Let’s all stand together and help raise the sails up again in honour of both the survivors, families, and memories of those that have passed.
Please support me as I make a difference in the cancer fight through my participation in the LIVESTRONG Challenge. Thank you!
If you are interested in coming or sponsoring the event, please e-mail me at awong@fortfrances.com or call 274-5373 ext. 237.