Since I last posted, I made the decision to channel my fundraising energies into my own cycling event. After more than fifteen charity events and more than $600,000 raised for cancer research since 2012, I decided it was time to narrow the scope of where the money was being used. Too much of the money raised for large charity events gets gobbled up in operational costs and it was time to go grassroots and get the money straight into the hands of the people who need it the most.
in 2017, I took an interest in the burgeoning field of cell and immune therapy for blood cancers. My search led me to the wonderful people at the Cedars Cancer Foundation in Montreal, an arm of the McGill University Health Centre. I was interested in someone who was focusing his or her efforts on this area of cancer research.
I had known Jeff Shamie, the President of Cedars Cancer foundation whom I had met from previous charity initiatives. Jeff immediately took an interest in my "little idea" and connected me to Dr. Pierre Laneuville, one of the most accomplished hematologists in Canada and who was currently trying to raise funds for the creation of a first of-its-kind cell therapy unit at the Cedars Cancer Centre right here in Montreal.
Dr. Pierre Laneuville
In 2017, we hosted the first Cedars Ride for Hope and Gratitude in Lake George NY. There, 15 cyclists committed to raising money for Dr. Laneuville and in the end this small but loyal group raised more than $55,000 for the cell therapy initiative. We had a most amazing weekend and the seed was planted for the following year with fifteen ambassadors all excited to help me promote and grow the ride.
At the summit of Prospect Mountain, Lake George NY
In 2018, we moved the ride back to Quebec and chose the picturesque Chateau Montebello on the Ottawa river as our base camp. The largest log structure in the world would be our home for the weekend, and the gentle rolling hills and by-ways of the Ottawa Valley our route for what turned out to be an amazing Saturday of cycling. That evening, we were treated to stories by our special guest, British Cycling hall of famer Phil Liggett, and some captivating talks on cancer research and its human components by riders Dr. Brigitte Barrette, Dr. Igor Jurisica and of course our very own Dr. Pierre Laneuville. In the end, we were thirty-one riders raising more than $130,000 for the fund.
A the start in Montebello. A wave of emotion
I created the fund in memory of my father, William Ewart Callard. Not because of any cancer connection but because he was my mentor. He passed in 1981, but not a day goes by that I don't think about him. The Ensign Ewart Research Fund of the Cedars Cancer Foundation is now building a coffer that will help to further advances in Cancer research for generations to come.
Having the honour of riding with Phil Liggett
The Journey continues....
In late 2018, I was faced with an aggressive relapse of my 2009 lymphoma. It was just before Christmas and I had been experiencing leg pain for a few months which to my Osteopath was classic sciatica. After several treatments and no progress, I ended up in the ER which led to a catscan and prompt diagnosis of the relapse.
I am now three cycles in on a tough but effective protocol used to treat non-hodgkins type lymphomas. In a few months, I will be using my own banked stem cells from 2012 to have a transplant which will hopefully allow me to put this setback behind me for good.
The world works in mysterious ways...
I had been followed by a wonderful doctor at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal since 2009, but shortly before my relapse, he was forced to retire from complications from a stroke. Jeff Shamie suggested I talk to Dr. Laneuville for a second opinion and I am happy to say that he is now following my progress and is from my experience one of the best diagnosticians I have ever met. I credit Dr. Laneuville with my quick recovery and for saving my kidneys, which had come close to complete failure before his intervention and quick action to save them.
This year, we are moving the ride to beautiful Bromont Quebec for the third annual Ride for Hope and Gratitude. Needless to say, this one has particular meaning for me on a personal level. My goal is simple. Recover from the stem cell transplant, be on my bike sometime in June, and in September complete my first big challenge.... the ride! I know I will be surrounded by the many committed riders and friends who have been fiercely loyal and supportive since the beginning. I am blessed in many ways.
The stem cell transplant will require a hospital stay of one month. While I'm not looking forward to it, the payoff is immense.
Our slogan for the ride is "The Journey Starts Here"... Mine starts now. "One month for a lifetime" is my motto.
Care to join me?
