The Bear Claw Casino gave what one rider called "the warmest of welcomes" as the 2014 Sears National Kids Cancer Ride team of cyclists arrived at the Casino behind schedule on Sept. 9, after enduring unseasonably cold, wet and windy weather on the south Saskatchewan leg of their fundraising ride across Canada.
Bear Claw Casino marketing coordinator, Peggy Slykhuis says, "Childhood cancers affect everyone. We know of a young girl in the area who has been diagnosed with cancer. SIGA and the Bear Claw Casino are happy to share our success by community involvement and by supporting charitable initiatives."
The five riders, Michelle Alexander, Trevor Crystal, Dennis Flatman, Don Grain and Peter Hodson, all of Ontario, were "overwhelmed" by the Bear Claw's welcome, according to Alexander. "This ride is an opportunity to really do something special for kids with cancer and we are so grateful for all of the support we've received."
Support team volunteer Rachelle Stoddart says, "Today was an incredibly tough ride. The riders were shaking; they were freezing, but they just wanted to keep going. They're riding with their hearts. It's inspiring to be around them and the children they are riding for is what's inspiring them. It means so much for all of us to be able to make a difference."
The Bear Claw was one of 265 official rest stops in Canada that served as a refuelling stop for the Ride. Originally, the team requested an outdoor breakfast of bagels, yogurt and fruit. However, when the weather proved to be cold, wet and windy, the stop also served as a warming station. Breakfast was moved inside, hot porridge was added to the menu, and casino staff plugged in portable heaters to make the lobby even warmer. As they spotted the cyclists, casino patrons also contributed cash to the team as they left for their next stop, Redvers School.
Ron Mitchell, director of sponsorship and community relations for the Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation says that support from small communities is critical for the success of the fundraising ride and for the fight against childhood cancers in Canada. "One hundred percent of the money raised goes directly to the cause. There are 17 hospitals with pediatric oncology units that research childhood cancers and treat kids with cancer across Canada. It's tragic that this ride has to happen but it's also reassuring for the families whose children are facing this that they have the support of their communities and communities large and small, across Canada."
"Often, when a band of riders rolls into a community, we're met by child who has cancer. In smaller places, often, community members come out to greet the riders too. It really makes a difference to that family to actually witness the community support that is here for them. In smaller towns, there may not be a support group for pediatric cancer patients and their families, so for them to see their community come out and to see our riders, it's a very powerful feeling."
"For our riders, both a it's a physically-challenging and an expensive endeavor," adds Mitchell. "Each rider must obtain a minimum of $25,000 to donate to the cause in order to participate. The very strong financial support the ride receives from our title sponsor, Sears Canada, as well as our other sponsors and the support we receive from the communities we ride through, allows us to support the cause fully, with 100 percent of the money raised going directly to the cause."
The team's parting gift to the Bear Claw Casino was a signed photograph. "This is a token of our gratitude to the Bear Claw Casino for their support," said Team Captain Trevor Crystal. "We could not undertake this ride on behalf of children with cancer without support like this."
