With the aim of educating people on cancer, Hand On Back (HOB) will be supporting Ride2Survive, a non-profit society, to raise funds and awareness for the organization and the CCS. HOB is a group of business partners/committee members coming together to support a cause within the community.
Some of its members include Amarjit Singh Dhadwar, owner of A1 Sports; Ken Usipuik, Delta police officer; Jagir Singh Nagra, owner of Fraserview Meats, and Bhakshish Sidhu, owner of Basant sweets, among others.
“We have been volunteering and fundraising since 2006. We work for the Heart & Stroke Foundation Of Canada, CCS, and Cops for Cancer, among others. This year, we decided to name our group Hand On Back, and we will be raising funds for cancer through Ride2Survive,” says Dhadwar.
The origin of the name comes from the fact that when you are low or sad, just a hand on your back can keep you going. “When running a marathon, if your legs are tired and you want to give up, just a touch or a hand on your back by another runner fills your body with inner strength to keep you going,” explains Usipuik, through an example.
On June 12 to 14, HOB will be organising an event titled 50/50 Weekend at Payal Business Centre in Surrey to raise awareness and get funds for cancer. Dhadwar and Usipuik, along with Kerry Kunzli, founder of Ride2Survive, and some other members, will be living 50 feet above on a crane for 50 hours.
“People can come and donate at the event. Information and research on cancer will also be given out there. There will also be a drive-through lane at Payal Business Centre where people can donate some money while passing through,” says Dhadwar.
The Ride2Survive cycle ride, now in its 11 year, will take place on June 20. Ride2Survive, co-founder by Kerry and Vicki Kunzli, is the CCS’ largest independent fundraising event. It comprises a gruelling one day, 400km ride from Kelowna to Delta from 3:30 am to 10 pm.
It is a challenging physical and emotional journey, pointing out that those who battle cancer have a physical and emotional fight far greater than anything we could imagine. “We will be supporting this event through volunteering, taking part in the ride, and through police escorting,” says Dhadwar.
On June 26, HOB will be organizing a fundraising dinner at Bollywood Banquet Hall, Surrey, for the Ride2Survive team and riders, appreciating their work. The event will also include a special performance by four-time Canadian country music award nominee Codie Prevost. Ticket for this event is priced at $60.
Though Usipuik has been donating his time to Ride2Surive through police escorting since 2006, this is the first time that HOB has supported the organization. “It is very important that people carry on the fight against cancer and help make cancer history,” sums up Usipuik.
To know more details on Ride2Surive or donate online, visit www.ride2survive.ca.
According to a report by the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), the annual number of new cancer diagnoses in Canada will increase by 40 per cent by 2030. This indicates that cancer is a growing cause of concern in this country, and awareness, precautions and funds are needed to treat or prevent it.
