This has been quite a learning experience, so I
would like to share the work behind the curtains that has gotten Parkinson's
Cycle of Hope to this stage! Reading blogs and websites has allowed me to take
advantage of peoples previous success, while learning from their mistakes, so I
hope my blogs will help people in similar ways.
When I first approached the Parkinson Society of
Southwestern Ontario, I wanted to hop on a bike, cycle across Canada, and raise
a few bucks for Parkinson's research...I'm not good at asking people for help,
but I didn't have a plan. I was told I had a promising idea, but I would need
to do more research and develop a plan before I could get the backing from
them. This was great advice, because I didn't have a clue what I was going to
do!
I spent countless hours cruising through the
virtual world, researching how I could cycle across Canada. What gear would I
need, which route would I take, how far is Vancouver to Halifax, how far should
I bike each day, what do I do if something breaks, how do I carry the essential
items to keep me safe and alive! Thankfully, I am not the first person to cycle
across Canada, so there was more than enough information to answer my
questions.
I emailed as many people as possible, so I could
take bits and pieces from each of them. Jeff Rutledge is from Sarnia,
ON and biked across Canada to raise money for ALS (I probably drove him nuts
with the number of questions I asked him; however, Jeff kick-started my plans
and got me focused in the right direction). Another very valuable source was
Paul Unett, who is currently cycling the WORLD!!! Both of these people gave me
a little insight about what I could expect to encounter and how to prepare.
I still found it very difficult to choose which
route I would want to use. Nick Kuipers cycled across Canada with the Christian
Reformed Church- Sea to Sea bike ride, and I rattled his brain with questions
too. Nick, was kind enough to give me a copy of the very detailed and
researched maps his group used during their trip to fundraise to end the cycle
of poverty ...Parkinson's Cycle of Hope contacted Sea to Sea and was given
permission to use those routes, which was a great deal of planning out of the
way.
I went camping this summer, where I had time to
really think about why Parkinson's Cycle of Hope was important to me. My dad
has always put my needs before his needs, and I love him for that; however, I
am in a great place in my life, and I want to put his needs before mine. The
guy worked in chemical valley his entire life and was forced to retire early. I
figured early retirement was great, until I began to understand what that
meant. Work was part of his identity and work was where most his friendships
were. He didn't want to retire early, he wanted to provide for his family and
retire when he was ready. Parkinson's disease came into my father’s life and
turned it upside down. He can't work, he can't play hockey with his friends,
and his "golden years" are limited by what Parkinson's disease feels
like doing to him. I understand that Parkinson's disease is not the
only debilitating disease around, and unfortunately there are too
many others with similar stories; but I have seen this disease attack the
well-being of someone I love the most, so I need to do something to help. My
dad believes a cure is near, and I love the idea of putting my body through a
national bike-ride to try and help fund a cure so people like him can enjoy
healthy, happy, and active lives. With the help of family and friends we
developed an info sheet to explain what Parkinson's Cycle of Hope was all
about.
We spent months researching the cost of this event!
I can't help but think back to how stressful this stage was, because I wished I
could fund the entire trip myself. I'm not going to lie, I thought about giving
up a few times, because I didn't think a little bike-ride would get raise
enough money to justify the trip; however, fighting Parkinson's disease means
too much to me, so we developed a budget and began thinking of fundraising
strategies. Big thanks goes out to Angela Briden, my mom, and all of my mom's
friends who helped stuff letters- These ladies set aside numerous nights to
help mail letters to businesses and people throughout the community of
Sarnia.
Over the next several months, I met with Shelley
Ralf from the Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario (based out of London, ON)
and we worked collaboratively to develop a timeline of plans. We knew
Parkinson's Cycle of Hope needed to be legit, so Parkinson Society Southwestern
Ontario wrote me a 3rd party endorsement letter-They will accept the donations
raised from Parkinson's Cycle of Hope and tax receipts will be provided!
Shelley Ralf has been there from the start, and Shelley has gone way beyond the
call of duty.
Gods gift to Parkinson's Cycle of Hope has been
Darrell Harvey, who is a Special Events Intern at the Parkinson Society Southwestern
Ontario. Darrell has worked with Parkinson Societies throughout Canada, to
arrange accommodations with wonderful people, who have offered
Parkinson's Cycle of Hope into their homes each night along the way!
Parkinson’s has also affected these people in some way, and I am eager to share
this experience with all of you!
Darrell
has also been a vital aspect in designing websites, setting up social media,
and organizing press releases. I can't even think of the million amazing things
this guy has done for Parkinson’s Cycle of Hope. I would still be trying to
understand Facebook timelines and figure out what a "tweet" was, but
Darrell has coached me through all this stuff and made Parkinson's Cycle of
Hope pretty accessible to the public. Darrell is my go-2-guy when I have ideas,
because he is usually one step ahead of me and has the idea done!
The
support Parkinson’s Cycle of Hope has received has been phenomenal. People are
spreading the word and offering to help however they can. We have received
generous donations, straight from the hearts of extremely kind people and
companies, whom we are grateful for!
A
HUGE THANKS goes out to Revolution Bicycle Shop and Wawanosh Watercraft, in
Sarnia, for sponsoring me with a touring bike and gear for the journey. These
guys have believed in this ride from day one, and they have provided me with
the wheels to safely complete this journey. These guys are tucked away on Blackwell Rd but believe me
they hold a ridiculous amount of valuable knowledge. Check out their website
and get in for visit John and James! http://www.revolutionbicycleshop.com/ http://www.wawanoshwatercraft.com/
Over
the last few months we have been planning fundraising events in Sarnia. So after months of brain storming, preparation
and organizing, we developed a great line up that will hopefully make a big
different in the fundraising department.
Another
huge thanks goes out to Jack Doyles/2XS. Sue Baert has been extremely helpful;
I wouldn’t have a clue how to run an event without her planning expertise. May
18th we have organized a night of live music, with performances by
Beth Bass and Ed Murphy at Jack Doyle’s Pub. Jack Doyles/2XS has even been kind
enough to host this fundraising event at NO COST. That means every dollar of
the $10 ticket gets you into a night of fun, while all proceeds go 100% to
Parkinson’s Cycle of Hope (ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE).
June
1st, the owners and employees of Jack Doyle’s Pub have outdone
themselves even further, by hosting an Evening with Cliff Erickson! This night
will begin with cocktails at 7pm, have a full-course dinner at 8pm, and 9pm
Cliff Erickson will hit the stage. We have some very interesting and unique
auction items to bump this evening up another notch….I am extremely excited for
this evening.
June
14th is the day of my graduation, BUT more importantly, the date to
mark on your calendars. Parkinson’s Cycle of Hope teams up for an
ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT FISH & CHIPS
AT PURDY’S FAMOUS DOCKSIDE EATERY. I have worked at Purdy’s fisheries for the
last 4 summers and you will not find nicer people to work with, nor will you
find anywhere to compete with the quality these folks bring. Ken’s Value Mart
has offered to donate the sides for this event, which will allow even more
funds to go directly to Parkinson’s Cycle of Hope! Thank you Purdy’s & Ken’s
Value Mart for your incredible help!
I
am getting pretty tired, and I can probably go on for days; however, I have to
drive home from Windsor to Sarnia shortly, so I will continue from where I have
left off tomorrow!
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