One Okotokian cancer survivor can say a thing or two about second chances, and is riding 200-kilometres to spread the message in the Alberta 2019 Ride to Conquer Cancer.
The 11th annual Ride will run from Aug. 17-18, benefiting the Alberta Cancer Foundation with over $75 million raised to date.
Diagnosed with terminal Stage 4 bowel cancer in 2000, Michael Emmett was told to get his affairs in order.
“One doctor didn’t give up, he decided that there was something they could do for me because I was too young, I was only 42 at the time,” he said.
That doctor decided to operate and removed a tumour that was 28 centimetres in diameter, along with several lymph nodes, said Emmett. This was followed by aggressive chemotherapy and radiation protocol, and several more surgeries over the years.
By 2004, Emmett was declared cancer free. By 2012, he was ready to Ride to Conquer Cancer.
Having been involved for the past seven years, Emmett keeps going back because of what the Ride did for his own family.
“The people out there that did all the Rides and raised money and stuff so that I could take advantage of what was out there at the time to battle this disease,” he said. “This was my way of giving back.”
Funds raised through the Ride to Conquer Cancer enable the Alberta Cancer Foundation to make investments that diagnose cancer earlier, improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment, improve quality of life, and reduce the risk of developing cancer.
This lifesaving work is taking place at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Cross Cancer Institute and 15 other centres across Alberta.
Now 62, Emmett is a father of four sons, 10 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Supported by his family—his wife volunteers and his sons donate—he said he got into the Ride after one of his sons did.
“One of my sons took up the Ride, it was his way of dealing with (my diagnosis), and started riding when the Ride first started out—he was on the Ride three years prior to my ever coming there,” said Emmett.
The two-day, 200-kilometre event in 2012 was Emmett’s introduction to cycling, and presented a steep learning curve.
“It was a task beyond my thinking, I can tell you that,” he said with a laugh. “I’ve learned a lot about cycling since then, the do’s and don’ts.”
Describing himself as a sore camper after the first year, he said he did about three or fours rides on his bike before the event and thought himself to be in fine form—only to find out the hard way that ordinary shorts was not the best decision.
With years more experience under his belt, Emmett said he knows much better now.
“I’ve got all the little things that bike riders need to know and do, and a better bike as well,” he said. “It’s become quite an expensive hobby for me.”
In addition to the support for the Alberta Cancer Foundation, the Ride showed Emmett a newfound passion.
“I cycle all the time, not just for the Ride,” he said. “I just like pedalling. It’s a way for an old guy to get some exercise.”
Emmett said he can be found quite often pedalling between Okotoks, High River, and Turner Valley.
Raised in Okotoks, Emmett’s life has taken him across the world. Working for the last thirteen years for Sherritt International in Cuba, Emmett came back to Canada and bought back (IS THIS THE RIGHT WORD< CAME BACK??)) in Okotoks in 2012, at the start of his journey with the Ride.
Supported by Sherritt through donation matching, Emmett’s corporate team, Second Chances, has been participating in the Ride for years.
Each person on the Ride has to raise $2,500, and Emmett’s team works to raise that money through everything from word-of-mouth and social media to bake sales.
Between now and the Ride, he said he will be doing short rides to keep warmed up and in shape (“if you can call ‘round’ a shape, for an old fella’”), plus some rest and relaxation.
After the two-day Ride, he will be back at work on Monday, before returning to Cuba on Aug. 25.
The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer is for everyone 16 years and older, from weekend riders to seasoned cyclists.
“The more the merrier, come on out, enjoy the ride if you need some exercise or if you just want to pitch in,” said Emmett.
Riders get total support from registration to event-weekend, including training rides, expert coaching and fundraising advice.
All you need is a bike, helmet and determination to make an epic impact.
To register for the Ride, go to conquercancer.ca.
To donate to Emmett and his team, go to ride.conquercancer.ca/alberta19, click donate, and search for “Michael Emmett” or “Second Chances.”
