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Cyclist hopes to raise $10K for fight against cancer dad with him at home. Especially after what he was told to expect by doctors. "It's really amazing that my dad is walking Two in five people in Canada are diag- and living a pretty good life," Jesse said. "One nosed with some form of cancer during their of the reasons I stayed close to home for life. school is so I could help out around the Oakville's Scott Smith, now 52, found out house and be with him." in 2008 that this statistic isn't just a figure. Jesse wants to help his dad any way he He was diagnosed with brain cancer. can. He is currently training and raising His life has changed dramatically since he money for this year's third annual Ride to got the news. Conquer Cancer. The 200-kilo"I was forced to retire from "It's also really metre bike trek from Toronto to my job because of fatigue and the inspiring to see Niagara Falls has raised more doctor's orders," said Smith. cancer survivors than $28.5 million for cancer "They've taken away my license and their yellow research in its two years of exisand I'm on seizure and tremor tence. The ride has surpassed all medication, which means I can't pinnies trying other cycling events to become even enjoy a cold beer. This has their best to Canada's most successful really taken the gas out of my complete the cycling fundraiser. tank. "This is my second time takcourse too." "But, I'm still alive. I'm a tesing part in this bike ride. I've tament to how great The n Jesse Smith raised $5,000 for the charity prePrincess Margaret Hospital viously, but I plan to focus on (PMH) is and what's now possible for cancer fundraising a lot more once school is done," survivors." said the second-year Sheridan College stuSmith had no idea he would develop brain dent and life-long Oakville resident. "I've crecancer while growing up. He lived a healthy, ated a Facebook page to let people know active lifestyle and played minor hockey and about the race and I sent a mass email to lacrosse in Oakville. He feels he is blessed everyone I know asking for support. I'm aimand said that if he had have been diagnosed ing to raise $10,000 for the hospital this with cancer as early as 10 years ago, he most time." likely wouldn't be alive now. He wouldn't be Jesse created a radio advertisement with able to enjoy his gardening, spend time with his friend from Mohawk College. He his family or friends or watch his three sons designed four different colored T-shirts that grow up. he is looking for sponsors for. He will wear He has been treated at PMH from the each of the shirts along portions of his jourbeginning. He still goes back for routine ney and take pictures for promotion purposcheck-ups. He believes he's proof to how the es. He is also planning on hosting a car wash changes in technology and cancer research once school's finished to raise even more are helping more people survive cancer. money. The advancements to the cancer research Riders this year will have the option of and treatment centre at PMH, thanks in stopping every 25-30 kilometres for snacks large part to the success of its annual bike and drinks, with a lunch break at the halfway ride, have been in its BioBank, its use of points each day. Bike technicians are availimage-guided technology, an increased num- able throughout the ride in case anyone runs ber of clinical trials and the use of robotic into any troubles. surgery, which allows surgeons to navigate "I'm confident I'll push through whatever through parts of the human body -- some- fatigue I face, because other riders are always thing never thought possible before. cheering you on and it makes you want to Smith's second-oldest son, 22-year-old push yourself more," Jesse said. "It's also Jesse, also knows he is lucky to still have his really inspiring to see cancer survivors and By Daniel Perry SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER 39 · Thursday, April 15, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com RIDING FOR A CURE: Sheridan College student Jesse Smith is currently training and raising money for this year's third annual Ride to Conquer Cancer, a 200-kilometre bike trek from Toronto to Niagara Falls. Smith, who raised $5,000 for cancer research last year, hopes to double that amount this time. DANIEL PERRY / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER their yellow pinnies trying their best to complete the course too. When a cancer survivor rode past me last year, it gave me a mental boost knowing that they are still fighting or have beaten cancer. "Thinking about my dad and reminding myself why I was doing the ride in the first place was the one thing that kept me going the most." This year's event will cater to all levels of bike riders. It will have three separate versions. The new virtual rider program has been put in place for people who can't make it, but still want to raise money and awareness to help PMH conquer cancer. The 200 km route takes bike riders on a breathtaking journey from downtown Toronto to Niagara Falls. The event has sold out the past two years. The third option is for more experienced riders or those looking to really challenge themselves. A 200 mile trek will share the same start and finish lines and camping space with the 200 km riders, but riders can choose an extended route in between these common points. Jesse Smith's Facebook page can be found by logging onto Facebook and searching for the group "Jesse Smith's Conquer Cancer 2010 Ride for the Cure". OAK sends 13 to Pan Pacific trials Burns group exceeds 64,000 Oakville Aquatic Club's Zack Chetrat had a lot of teammates on hand to watch his gold-medal swim at the recent Pan Pacific swimming trials in Montreal. Thirteen OAK athletes competed in the meet, which attracted the top senior national swimmers vying for positions on the Canadian team for this year's Pan Pacific championships in California. Chetrat was the lone OAK medalist, winning the senior men's 200-metre butterfly in 1.58.97 seconds to qualify for the Pan Pacific championships, but several other local swimmers cracked the top 10. Marni Oldershaw, 15, finished fourth in the senior women's 5,000m freestyle, fifth in the 400m individual medley and sixth in the 200m individual medley. Curtis Samuel placed sixth in the men's senior 200m butterfly, followed closely by teammate Mack Darragh who finished seventh. Tera Van Beilen added seventh-place efforts in the senior women's 100m and 200m breaststrokes. OAK's senior women's 400m medley relay team of Erin Assman, Sharalynn Missiuna, Oldershaw and Van Beilen placed seventh in its event. Darragh and Oldershaw both set three OAK individual records at the trials. Julie Calvert, Van Beilen, Missiuna, Assman and Chetrat also set new club marks. Annie Harrison, Mika Spencer, Holly Olsen, Brody Dyson and Reid Scarrow also represented OAK at the trials. With the members of the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee set to make their nominations today (Thursday), the Facebook page campaigning for Pat Burns' induction has surpassed 64,000 members. The page, launched by Oakville residents Warren Weeks, John Perenack and Mark Fieldhouse, is hoping to persuade the Hockey Hall of Fame to induct Burns this year. The 58-yearold former NHL coach is battling cancer for the third time. The local trio started the page after seeing Burns on TV at a ceremony to announce the start of a construction of an arena in Quebec to be named in his honour. At the event, Burns said it is unlikely he will be alive to see the project completed. That spurred Weeks and his friends to begin the campaign for Burns, who won the NHL coach of the year award with Montreal, Toronto and Boston and the Stanley Cup with New Jersey. "The only positive ending would be for him to be able to accept the honour while he can celebrate it with his family," Weeks said. Anyone can join the group at www.patburns.ca.