$100,000 donated towards prostate cancer research in Kelowna, B.C. – Okanagan | 24CA News
Each yr throughout the Okanagan, motorcyclists strap on their helmets and journey for a trigger, which is elevating cash for prostate most cancers analysis.
On Wednesday, the group was in a position to donate the funds to the BC Cancer Foundation in Kelowna, B.C., handing over a $100,000 cheque.
“I can’t tell you how much I’m overwhelmed and honoured to be able to do this for the thousands of men and basically families that are touched by this disease every year,” stated Bob Charron, chair of the Okanagan department of Ride for Dad.
The Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation raised the cash by way of the Ride for Dad occasions. The funding will help Dr. Juanita Crook’s internationally-recognized work for a extremely efficient type of therapy.
“Brachytherapy treats from the inside out. We’re putting the radiation directly into the cancer, into where it’s needed and that gives a much higher dose very conformally. We don’t have to travel through all the rest of the body in order to get to where we want to give the dose,” stated Crook.
The funding for the analysis and testing performed by Dr. Crook and her crew isn’t absolutely lined by the federal government, so this six-figure donation goes a great distance.
“It allows you to be more creative, do research, investigate different means, and improve treatment. Because you can’t start something new, it’s not automatically a standard of care. First, you have to prove that it works and prove how it’s better, and then the government says, ‘Oh OK, fine, maybe we should support that,’” stated Crook.
Giving again is so vital to Charron as he was handled by Dr. Crook when he had prostate most cancers a number of years in the past.
“Dr. Crook’s research is incredible. We’ve thrown our seed money in new projects and research. We’ve put brachytherapy about 10 years ahead of its time,” he stated.
The trigger can also be near his coronary heart as a result of he misplaced his dad and a brother to the illness.
“You can’t put words behind it and of course, you get emotional about it because I was the lucky one. Today I had people walking by, one lady even on her way to her treatment gave me $20. It’s $5 more than I had yesterday,” Charron stated.
Charron additionally encourages folks to talk to their docs about getting a PSA check.
“The statistics are sad because up to last year, 12 men a day died from prostate cancer. That’s up to 13 now. Sadly not enough men are still not getting checked early,” he stated.
The basis will quickly be elevating cash for the trigger as soon as once more. On June 11, members of the Okanagan department of Ride for Dad will hop on their bikes and journey by way of the valley. More details about the fundraiser and the way to enroll is out there on the group’s web site.
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