Bikeathon sets record

The Bellerose Bikeathon has set a new record.

About 900 exhausted yet energized students and parent volunteers cheered Friday afternoon at the close of the 13th annual Bellerose Bikeathon. The event saw each of them ride stationary bikes for 48 hours to raise money for cancer research.

Despite Alberta's tough economic times, the students still managed to collect some $325,896, said Bellerose principal Jyoti Mangat – a new record for the event. That brings the Bikeathon's total for donations to $1.88 million.

"The contribution from the community has been amazing."

Riding for a cure

Bellerose started the Bikeathon in 2003 as a cancer fundraiser inspired by the Cops for Cancer campaign, said teacher Sue Leighton, one of the event's main organizers and founders. They had 10 teams, 110 participants and $14,000 in donations that year.

Some 82 teams have turned out to ride this year, holding bake sales and yoga classes and going door to door to raise money for the Kids with Cancer Society and the Alberta Cancer Foundation.

The teams came well prepared for their challenge Wednesday, armed with boatloads of pop, water, snacks, TVs and video games for the long days ahead. Many also were in costume, such as Team Cancer Get Out of Our Swamp, which dressed as the cast of the movie Shrek.

"We've got Shrek, we got (Princess) Fiona, the Three Blind Mice, Prince Charming, Lord Farquaad and an ogre baby," said participant Hunter Murray, who was dressed in grey tights and a tiny crown as the aforementioned prince. There was also a swashbuckling Puss in Boots.

Murray said this group did the two previous Bikeathons together for the fun of it.

"I'm biking for everyone with cancer, everyone who's been affected," he said, noting that his grandfather had lung cancer.

The whole atmosphere during Bikeathon is awesome, said fellow Grade 12 student Dylan Huot, who was also back for his third time. He and the rest of his team – the pink-shirted and bra-flaunting Rack Pack – had raised about $6,255 through bottle drives and donations, and had written the many names of those they knew who had cancer on the back of their team's banner.

"It brings the whole entire school together," he said.

"It's a great experience to have in high school. You'll remember it for the rest of your life."

Heartbreaking inspiration

Giving the students the drive they needed to stick it through 48 hours were speakers such as John Mackey, clinical trials director at the Cross Cancer Institute.

Events such as the Bikeathon helped put some 600 people through clinical trials at the institute last year, helping them develop new treatments for cancer and better lives for cancer patients. One of them, a woman named Kim, has kept her hair and will likely get to take part in the Boston Marathon this year thanks to one of these trials.

"There are 600 people in the Edmonton area that owe you a big thanks," he told the crowd.

"Next year, I want to come back with 700 thank-yous."

An emotional Erin Richards inspired many with her tale of how her father, Chris, was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in his throat last summer – the treatment of which could rob him of his ability to speak.

"When you hear the news that your dad is sick, there's nothing you can do but cry," said the Grade 12 student.

She said she collapsed on the floor of her friend's house and cried for what seemed like hours when her mother told her the news.

"I felt that my dad would die and there was nothing that I or anyone else could do," she said, choking up.

Richards told the crowd that her father was still in a lot of pain from his surgery and radiation treatment, but is still going to work. It'll be about a year before they know his long-term prognosis.

"Never forget why we are here," she continued.

"The money and hope we raise here matter. They matter to me, to my dad, to the man in the hospital room and to every other person who's been diagnosed or indirectly affected by cancer," she said.

"Cancer is affecting us all in some way, and sooner or later, we really will kick cancer's ass."