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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday February 13, 2008 - 23 Andy welcomes support Continued from page 21 are welcome to join in. Money raised from the June ride will be shared by Canada's 17 pediatric oncology hospitals -- five of which Andy has been treated in, as well as cancer research and summer camps. Every summer since he was five years old, Andy, his mom Janice, dad Bill and two sisters Hannah, 18, and Greer, 14, have enjoyed a cost-free break from routine at six different locations of these priceless holiday spots. As well as a safe place to explore, have fun rock climbing, swimming and wake boarding, the camps are a hard-to-come-by respite for caregivers. "These specialized summer camps got us through the worst of times, by replacing memories of sickness and depression with fun and laughter," said Janice. "They make cancer only a part of our lives, not all-consuming of our lives." From Andy's perspective, the camps "made him brave" and willing to try new things, such as the cross-country ride. Andy is in remission now from the brain cancer that invaded his body and his family's life, from age three. He endured a decade of treatments and therapies, or 4,745 days, give or take 100 days, and he still spends a week a month at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children. The cancer is gone, but last year Andy was diagnosed with intractable epilepsy and declared legally blind, legacies from the disease and cures to keep him alive. These challenges would not hinder Andy's interminable determination, though. A guide dog named Boston moved in with the Brooks' last August and accompanies him to school and around town, giving Andy more independence. Boston and Andy were popular in the White Oaks' school daycare where the aspiring early childhood educator worked during his co-op last semester. He heads to work solo though, at the McDonald's restaurant down the street from his home where he flips burgers. Between school, work and a social life, Andy daily hops on the stationary bike set up in his living room for a two-hour ride. It's a huge change from the first day of training, in early January when after just five minutes of pedaling, he slumped over the handlebars breathless, in a heap of sweat. On Day Two he lasted 15 minutes and each day after has brought steady increases in his endurance. "We've seen a huge change in Andy," said Janice. He lost 20 pounds and has embraced healthy living and nutrition. Perhaps this is due to the influence and coaching of accomplished adventure racer Larry Optis, who will ride a tandem bike with Andy on the 19-day trek, and has become a mentor and friend to the teen. The Toronto AHL hockey team the Marlies are also supportive of Andy's ride. Centre ice seats at Ricoh Coliseum (on the Exhibition grounds) for the March 29 (7 p.m.) game against the Manitoba Moose are available for $25 -- $10 from each of these tickets will be added to Andy's $16,000 fundraising goal. To purchase tickets call Darryl Silverstein at 416-263-3926. The Sears National Kids Cancer Ride will be passing through this neck of the country on June 13. Anyone interested in riding along with Andy as a community or Stage Rider (see website for details) are welcome to join as they head from Sears in Lime Ridge Mall in Hamilton to the Eaton Centre in Toronto. "We'd love to see lots of people ride along in support," said Janice. For details log on to www.nationalkidscancerride.com or contact Janice at 905-510-2710, email jann.brooks@hotmail.com. The Dinner Party Keynote Deborah Ellis "Celebrating Resistance" In 1997, award-winning author and peace activist, Deborah Ellis traveled to Afghanistan to interview women in refugee camps and from her interviews wrote the runaway best seller, The Breadwinner. She has since traveled to other countries to gather research for her writing and weaves the stories of the children she's met in conflict situations into her books. and CSAW (Canadians in Support of Afghan Women. Keynote Speaker Deborah Ellis Sales of Afghan crafts Book signing Join us and celebrate a world of women together A fundraiser for SAVIS (Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services Performance from WomEnchant Chorus Silent auction Door prizes 50/50 draw International Women's Day 2008 Deborah Ellis generously donates royalties from her books to organizations such as UNICEF, Street Kids International and Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, CW4WA. She was named to the Order of Ontario and is the recipient of the Governor General's Award for Children's Literature. Wednesday, March 5, 2008 Time: 5.30 Cash bar, silent auction 7.00pm Dinner and keynote speaker Location: Oakville Conference and Banquet Centre, 2515 Wyecroft Road, Oakville Tickets: $45 (tables of ten available) Available through SAVIS at (905) 825 3622 Proudly hosted by WHAM Women of Halton Action Movement Sponsored by: Cheryl Kopko and Mary O'Brien, Century 21 Miller Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario ETFO ­ Halton Local Premaman Sunrise of Oakville Karen Thompson, Family lawyer Zonta Club of Oakville