The facts about prostate cancer are stark. 1 in 7 men will develop the disease in their lifetime. Of the 1.2 million Canadian men with the disease, 80% don’t know it yet. Of them, 4,000 die of the disease every year. Like all cancers, there is much to be done: how to detect the disease earlier (when it is more treatable), how to cure it when it is detected, and how to care for the men and their families once they are diagnosed. These are big challenges that require big dollars to overcome.

SMS Equipment, as part of its community support and charitable giving program, seeks to do the most good that it can. Sometimes it donates directly to a cause and other times it seeks to make it easier for others to do good.

That’s why, when the Manitoba chapter of the TELUS Motorcycle Ride for Dad approached them about a sponsorship, the company was eager to help. The Ride enables SMS to help motorcycle enthusiasts raise funds to support three different prostate cancer-related charities.

About the Ride

The Ride brings together motorcycle enthusiasts for a one-day event supporting research and care for men suffering from the disease. Riders raise funds that go towards supporting three different groups involved with prostate cancer: The Genomic Centre for Prostate Cancer Research, which develops less invasive and more accurate tests for prostate cancer, enabling it to be detected earlier; the SABR Prostate Trial, which is working on a highly-promising new radiation treatment, and the Manitoba Prostate Cancer Support Group, which offers group counselling and support to prostate cancer patients and their families. Since 2009 the Manitoba Ride has raised over $1.25 million.

The Ride for Dad’s online site enables fundraisers to set up their own personal pages, making it easier for friends, family, and coworkers to support them. To encourage riders to do their utmost in raising funds, the website also incorporates an internet leaderboard of fundraisers from across the country. To even be on the board, called the Captain’s Club, you need to raise $1,000 minimum. A bit of competitive spirit helps to drive riders to raise ever larger funds.

Team Captain Darren Weber

SMS Equipment helps support the logistics of setting up the Manitoba event, meaning that the bulk of the funds raised can go straight to the organizations the Ride for Dad supports. In addition to contributing to make the event possible, SMS Equipment employees and their family members fielded an entire team to take part in the Edmonton based Ride for Dad event. Team Captain Darren Weber recruited Lorne Anderson, Rob & Dana Dyck, Elaine & Rich King, Keith & Leah Powell, Ross Strickland, as well as others who signed up to ride in the event and raise funds. SMS was proud of our employees and was able to support multiple events for a total of $2000.00.

“I have been involved with the Ride for Dad for two years. I love to ride and thought it would be a great opportunity to meet new people and contribute to the RFD cause” - Darren Weber - Electrician, Journeyperson