Elizabeth Scott, a local Rotarian, frequent volunteer and brave survivor, is living proof that research can change lives.
She was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia five years ago, and it is thanks to the research and hard work of scientists in recent years that she is able to live a relatively normal life.
Last year her husband Randy Scott and her daughter Devyn Scott created Team Liz and joined the Ride to Conquer Cancer - the two-day, 250-kilometre ride from Vancouver to Seattle to raise money for the B.C. Cancer Foundation. They raised $10,500.
"It's so inspirational," Randy Scott said. "It just blows your mind how many people are there and how many people have the yellow flags on their bikes to show they're either fighting or have beaten cancer. It's absolutely phenomenal."
Last weekend (June 18 and 19) Randy Scott hit the road again - this time with friend Denise Imbeau, whom he convinced to join the two-day event several months ago. While Randy has ridden the Test of Metal before, and participated in the GranFondo last year, this was Imbeau's first long-distance bike ride.
"I was really nervous but excited doing it - it was a challenge and I decided to push myself out of my comfort zone and go for it," she said.
"I think when you get to be sort of middle age you stop doing things that are outside your comfort zone but I did something out there and it was successful. I feel really good about it."
Imbeau completed the entire 118 kilometres the first day and 35 kilometres the second day. She said even though she didn't finish the ride, she was happy with her accomplishment and had a fantastic time.
"It was a torrential downpour so we were all soaked, but it was so exciting because you're riding with everyone," she said.
"There's 2,800 riders and 500 volunteers and everybody's happy and positive and that was really cool. On the ride, everyone is super encouraging - if they're passing you they're saying, 'Good job.' Everyone's along the side cheering and it's a really amazing experience."
Imbeau said Randy was with her the whole way, and when she finally called it quits on the second day, he was dead last but managed to pass almost 400 riders after she stopped riding.
Randy explained that placing doesn't matter at all - "it's a ride and a challenge but not a race."
"The funding this event raises is spectacular. Without the funding they get, there's programs that are cut and stopped as far as research," he said. "The funds that they raise ensure those research programs will keep going on."
This year, Team Liz raised more than $12,000, or $1,500 beyond their goal of matching last year's amount.
The entire ride was a huge success, raising $11.1 million that will be directly invested in breakthrough cancer research focused on improving outcomes for cancer patients across B.C.
However, Randy said there's a larger goal on the horizon - to find a cure for cancer. Since he's not a doctor, he said it's his way of contributing to the cause.
"Everyone is adamant there needs to be a cure for cancer so that's kind of the goal. I'll ride in it every year if I can keep raising money for it," he said.
He is already planning for next year, when he hopes to gather at least 10 riders for Team Liz.
"You have to raise a minimum of $2,500 per person, so 10 people would be $25,000 right out of the shoot which would just be terrific,' he said.
"I've been talking to lots of people and there's lots of interest for next year."
Elizabeth said she was touched and a bit humbled when she found out the name of her husband's and daughter's team last year, and is extremely proud of and thankful to Denise for stepping up to the challenge.
"It's really overwhelming and humbling," she said.
"It's important because the funding is necessary for further research. It just seemed a logical way for us to contribute. We're not doctors to be able to do the research ourselves so this is a way that we can contribute."
