DRIFTWOOD STAFF
An island legacy that started in 2010 will get a new chapter in August when a group of people from Salt Spring and Victoria team up for the BC Ride to Conquer Cancer.
Jana Roerick will be making the ride for her third time and is acting as mentor for the Slow Riders team, which was put together by team leader Alanda Nay. Roerick completed her first ride for the organization in 2010 with her friend Deboragh Gainer, who was Nay’s mother.
She did her second ride in 2011 on Gainer’s vintage 1970s speed racer.
Many riders participate with a specific friend or family member in mind, as almost everyone’s life has been touched by cancer in some way. Gainer joined up mainly to support Roerick, and was not aware that she had cancer herself when she completed the 2010 event. It was a surprise to island participants that they would be riding for her the following year.
“I was really happy Alanda came to me to tell me that she was putting together a team. I’ve been wanting to do it again but she made it possible, I think,” Roerick said.
It’s possible to donate to specific riders through conquercancer.ca. Search for Nay’s Slow Riders team under the Donate tab.
The 2017 ride takes place Aug. 26 to 27.