The Ride of Their Lives
Steven Bright is gearing up for the ride of his life. Or make that the ride to saves lives.
Bright, BA’92, is one of just 36 Canadians and the only McGill alumnus who was asked to participate in the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride, one of the biggest and most ambitious charity cycling events on behalf of childhood cancer in the world.
Known as National Riders, Bright and his fellow cyclists will set out this coming June 13th from Vancouver on a journey of hope.
“Across 7,000km and 12 days, we will stop in cities and towns along the way, talking to kids, survivors, medical professionals, media, new friends and old, and volunteers,” explains Bright from his Toronto office, where he works as a public relations professional. The journey includes several ride-along stages, where hundreds of other cyclists can join in segments of between 25-150km. Bright and his team will be coming through Montreal on Sunday June 21st and he hopes his alma mater will be there to cheer him on.
Each National Rider is expected to raise a minimum of $25,000, with an overall goal of $2 million. All the funds raised will be directed to both national initiatives in support of childhood oncology programs, as well as to local and community programs through pediatric oncology hospitals and centres across the country.
“The Sears National Kids Cancer Ride is both scary and very exciting for me. And that’s the essence of this ride as my 40th birthday looms this coming fall,” says Bright, who adds the support of his wife Sharon and two young daughters has been invaluable. “I’m a cyclist trying to help kids survive their life-threatening battles, with those same kids helping me get through a life-changing ride. I’ve been touched too many times by cancer in my family. We’re all in this together.”
While Bright is able to train for the physical challenges of this ride, he knows it’s the mental challenge that will be a big part of this journey.
“I can’t anticipate the extent of emotion, but I have been told the days start and end with tears,” says Bright. “On the flipside, support and warmth is created out of total strangers meeting each other and sharing their stories. It will be the fuel you use to ride for nine hours each day on a bike.”