Welland resident Barb may be new to cycling, but she is not afraid of a challenge. This September will be her first year participating in Niagara’s Big Move Cancer Ride in support of Niagara Health Foundation. “When I saw that 100% of the proceeds go towards the Walker Family Cancer Centre, I knew I had to do it.”

It was her fitness trainer who first gave Barb the idea. “I didn’t think I could do it, but my trainer insisted that I could, so I bought an old bike and just started riding the trails.”

With every ride, Barb not only gained confidence but she fell in love with cycling. “I looked further into Niagara’s Big Move Cancer Ride and was really impressed by it. I think the Walker Family Cancer Centre (WFCC) is a life-changing system.” Barb is a cancer survivor, so this is a cause close to her heart. “My mom also struggled with cancer back in 1978 and overcame it at the time. Sadly, it came back, 30 years later, and she lost her battle. If the WFCC had been here at the time, it would have been a game changer for her and our family. Without that resource here in Niagara, she had to go to Hamilton for her treatments.”

Her husband also had a bout of cancer in 2011 and had to go out of town for his treatments, Barb adds. “So while I am nervous about doing a 50K ride, knowing that this ride supports the WFCC was the deciding factor for me.”

Barb knows the hill along the route will be her biggest challenge, but she trains every weekend to prepare. “People who have done the ride say that the adrenaline will get me up the hill,” she laughs, “so I am super excited. I have people who will be waiting for me at the finish line to support me.”

Knowing that the ride will benefit so many people in Niagara will carry her through the ride, Barb says. “We are fortunate to have such a beautiful clinic with such caring staff here in our region. It is so needed. The WFCC makes a difference in people’s lives, and I want to do what I can to support it.”

“And if the 50K go well,” she adds with a smile, “then I will go for the 75 next year.”