Sisters gearing up for life-saving ride
Nicole and Erika Vanderveer can save lives with four wheels and two helmets. And they're planning to do just that for the second year in a row this summer.
Feeling helpless after their father was diagnosed with non- Hodgkin's lymphoma --a type of blood cancer -- four years ago, the two sisters decided to begin peddling toward a cure in the Ride to Conquer Cancer.
"I was away at university when I found out dad had cancer, and it blew me away," said Erika, a Bradford resident. "My dad's one of the strongest people I know and he wasn't going to let cancer hold him back. His condition really motivated me to do this event."
"He's such a passive person and he didn't make a big deal about his condition," said Nicole, who lives in Collingwood. "He was happy we were doing the ride, but didn't make a big deal about that either. But, he met us at the finish line last year, and that was incredible for me."
So is participating in an event that helps to save lives of people like her 62-year-old father.
Last year was the inaugural event, and the two-day, 200-kilo-metre bike ride benefits the Campbell Family Institute at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto.
The 2009 ride takes place June 12 to 14, from Toronto to Niagara Falls, and these biking babes can't wait to hit the tarmac.
"The energy you feel from everyone else is so incredible, and it's a very emotional thing. It's hard for me to talk about," Nicole said, fighting back tears. "It's the most liberating thing I've ever experienced, and when you see the survivors ride past you, I thought of how lucky I am my father's one of them."
"I can't wait to get back into that atmosphere. Everyone laughs and cries together," Erika said. "We're all there for the same purpose and that's amazing."
The Vanderveers each raised $2,500 for last year's event, and they're upping the ante this year, hoping to raise $10,000 collectively.
But with such a huge feat on their hands, they knew they couldn't do it alone.
But a discussion at a family reunion changed that, as a distant relative, Karen Stocker, offered her services.
"When we talked at that reunion, I just knew I wanted to contribute to their cause," said Stocker, a certified Law of Attraction facilitator who runs seminars on the laws of attraction and how they affect people's lives.
"I think it's amazing what they're doing, and I thought I could use my business to help."
Stocker is holding a Law of Attraction seminar tomorrow at the Holiday Inn conference centre on Fairview Road in Barrie.
Registration is at 1:30 p. m. and the seminar runs from 2 p. m. to 5 p. m. Tickets are $30 each or two for $50 in advance, and $49 at the door.
For tickets, call 905-682-8592.
"The seminar is content rich, and will leave you with the tools and strategies that you can apply to your life immediately and get amazing results," Stocker said. "Most people might have seen the movieThe Secret,but don't understand how to apply it in their life. That's where this seminar comes in, to teach you the how to."
All ticket proceeds go to the Vanderveers' goal and the cycling duo couldn't be happier.
The sisters are hoping the public will help with their fundraising efforts by donating online, too.
Residents can visit http://www.conquercancer.caan/d search for them by name under the 'donate' section.
ncruickshank
@ thebarrieexaminer.com
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